Fred Bowen's "The Score" column,
September 8, 2000, Washington Post

We have a rule in our house: No TV on a school night.

But we are going to break that rule during the next couple of weeks.

Why?

Simple. The Olympics.

Reality shows such as "Survivor" have been the rage this summer. Well, finally there is going to be some reality TV that is worth watching.

The Olympics--and all sports--are the best kind of reality TV there is. No actors. No scripts. No endings already written. No fake laughter. Just real athletes and real competition.

What makes the Olympics must see TV?

* Track and field. The Olympics is the greatest track and field event ever invented. The best in the world battle to see who can run the fastest, jump the highest and throw the farthest. What could be better than that?

* The 100-meter dash. My favorite 10 seconds in sports. The runners burst from their blocks at the shot of the starter's gun and race for the tape. Their dreams are determined by fractions of seconds.

* The drama. Who can forget American gymnast Kerri Strug four years ago, ignoring her injured ankle, vaulting high into the air and sticking a perfect one-legged landing for her team and for the gold?

* The records. You can count on it: Someone will do something unbelievable during the Olympics. Like Michael Johnson's 200-meter dash in 19.32 seconds, in 1996. Johnson shattered the world's record. Man, he was flying.

* The swimmers. This year keep an eye on the people in the pool. With those newfangled, faster swimsuits, you can bet there will be lots of world records set.

* The women. For 16 days, female athletes finally get their fair share of attention. In the Olympics, the women's events are just as big a deal as the men's events.

This year, the American women's softball, soccer, swimming, basketball and gymnastic teams are all favored for medals. And Dot Richardson, Mia Hamm, Marion Jones and Jenny Thompson will be on TV more than Regis Philbin.

* The unusual sports. In the Olympics, you get the chance to see team handball, fencing, field hockey, table tennis, kayaking, water polo, synchronized swimming and a lot of other cool sports that are rarely on TV.

Believe me, my kids will be tuning in, even on a school night.

New house rule.

FRED BOWEN is the author of sports novels for kids. Write to him at KidsPost, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, DC 20071. Or e-mail (with "The Score" in the subject line): kidspost@washpost.com.

© 2000 The Washington Post Company