News
PAGE 7
Sept. 2 2016
President, family visit Rio Olympics, return with new memories, experiences BY MADI TRAN The Summer Olympics are one of the most televised events in the world, with around 30 million Americans tuning in to watch the opening ceremony this year and viewing the performances of athletes from around the world. But for Cathedral President Mr. Rob Bridges and his family, they knew when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced the location seven years ago that they had to go to the 31st Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and see many of the events in person. “(We went) to visit family, but also to see the Olympics. Since (the IOC) announced, we said we had to go,” Bridges said about the 10,274-mile round trip. “I went to Rio because I have family there. I was born in Rio de Janeiro, and when we heard about the announcement seven years ago, our family saved up for seven years,” senior Robbie Bridges said, “and because we were born there having the Olympics (in Rio) was really special.”
Mr. Bridges and three of his children stayed in Rio for two weeks due to the school year starting up. However, his wife and youngest son remained in Brazil until the end of the Olympics. “Me, my dad, my older brother and youngest sister were there for two weeks,” junior Gabi Bridges said, “but my mom and younger brother (were) still there for another week and a half.” The best of the best Some of the sports they enjoyed included swimming, gymnastics, table tennis, beach volleyball and basketball. Robbie said, “We went and watched USA basketball play twice and for me being an NBA fan to see the top NBA players compete internationally was surreal for me.” Gabi said, “Gymnastics (was my favorite), because we had really good seats and I got to watch (The USA Gymnastics team) do all their events and we were there for a few hours.” “Seeing Katie Ledecky and Michael Phelps swim was very cool,” Mr. Bridges said. Watching the Olympics gave the Bridges
family the opportunity to experience sports they never thought they would enjoy. Mr. Bridges didn’t expect that he would get into watching table tennis, but being at the Olympics gave him the chance to like the event. “(The table tennis game) was different because it was Singapore and Korea and the fans were very controlled, not wild like the Brazilians are,” said Mr. Bridges. “It was ladies’ table tennis, but we actually joked that it was on fast motion.” Live in Rio The experience of seeing the Olympics live differs completely from watching it on TV. Gabi said, “It’s so much more real being there. On a screen you’re watching it, but when you’re there everyone’s cheering and it’s right in front of you.” More than just the Games Outside of watching the Summer Olympics, the family arrived one week before the Games started and got to enjoy going to the beach and experiencing Rio’s other
attractions among other activities. “We went to the beach every day and swam in the waves,” Gabi said. “We didn’t do much sightseeing because of all the tourists.” Zika? Not a problem The Zika virus was a concern before the Olympics started, but the virus was not worrying to the Bridges family. “We were not concerned (about the virus) at all, because it was winter and windy. It was 60 degrees at night and 75 degrees during the day, and there are really no mosquitoes. I didn’t see any mosquitoes the whole time I was there,” Mr. Bridges said. Since the family had to leave so soon, they had to miss some sports they were looking forward to seeing. Robbie said, “Right after we left the track events began, and I really wanted to see Usain Bolt and Allyson Felix run, but we had to leave early to come to school.” Spending time in Rio gave the Bridges’ time to further connect. “We were forced into a lot of family quality time, which ended up being a blessing for us,” said Bridges.
American gymnast Simone Biles performs a floor routine. Biles was a member of the gold medal-winning U.S. Women’s Gymnastics Team. Photo submitted The Bridges’ youngest son, Sammy, poses with Nicole Johnson, Debbie Phelps and Boomer Phelps, the fiancée, mother and son of American swimmer and Gold Medalist Michael Phelps. The entire Bridges family, including senior Robbie, junior Gabi and president Rob, display the American flag inside in the swimming venue at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Photos submitted