If there’s one thing I wish I had in 1984, it was a big screen HDTV so that I see Mary Lou Retten score that perfect 10 on the vault to win the gold in women’s gymnastics. So I’m doing it right this year.
The Necessities
High Definition TV
Don’t even think about hosting an Olympics party until you have a sweet TV that will show every nuance of the competition. Top-quality TVs are cheaper than ever, and you can get a nice HDTV for what you paid for a big box-shaped TV a decade ago. You can get excellent quality without breaking the bank, and you’ll be able to enjoy other big events on that TV for years to come.
DVR
The 2012 Summer Olympics will be held in London, so there’s a significant time difference in events being shown. If you want to catch the best sports at night with your buddies, you’ll likely have to record the games and watch them later. While this might seem like a bummer, it’s kind of a fun challenge to avoid the social media connections we have and try to go in as fresh as possible.
Food
What’s a party without food? With all the companies that sponsor the Olympics, it’s almost shocking that there’s no Olympic-themed food offering. But that’s a good thing because it forces you to get creative. Take five donuts and place them in the shape of the Olympic rings. Make cupcakes and put the various flags of the participating countries on them. You can even serve tea and crumpets to give a real English flair to your party. You may not receive a medal for your culinary efforts, but at least you’ll have fun preparing easy, delicious snacks.
What to Watch
There are always human interest stories in the Olympics, and the NBC family of networks will be happy to remind you who you should be following. As fun as it is to get to know the athletes, it’s the sports that make the Olympics special.
Swimming
Michael Phelps became a media darling during the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, earning a record 14 gold medals over the two Olympics. The 2012 Olympics will likely be his last. Will Phelps add to his record, or will another rising star overtake him?
Soccer
The US men’s soccer team didn’t qualify for the Olympics, but the women’s team is raring to go. The team captured the hearts of America during its 2011 World Cup run, making Hope Solo, Alex Morgan and Abby Wambach household names. Will the ladies avenge their loss in the World Cup final?
Basketball
You can watch basketball any time of the year, but Olympic basketball has become a must-see event. The USA is no longer a shoo-in to win the gold medal; Spain, Argentina and China all pose a threat to America’s superiority. Will the NBA’s stars bring home the gold, or will they meet their match in London?
No matter what sport you watch, the Olympics makes for a great viewing experience. Add some friends, a killer TV, some good food and notable participants, and you’ve got yourself a great party. Don’t pass up the chance to have a blast while watching the world’s best compete for pride and country.
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