Spectacle that is the Olympics set to open with plenty story lines

Grab a seat, the curtain is prepared to open on one of the world’s greatest spectacles.

And no, I am not talking the upcoming presidential election.

Four years of campaigning and finding people to buy in – both financially and politically – have led to the nation’s two most recognizable parties to naming candidates each believes could win them The White House, albeit controversially.

Political mudslinging aside, another group has spent the past four years honing its craft in the hope of fulfilling a lifelong dream.

The Games of the XXXI Olympiad begin this weekend, athletes from all four corners of the globe converging upon Rio de Janiero, Brazil, in a quest to satisfy their insatiable thirst for gold.

As with any Olympic Games, this one certainly does not lack its share of story lines.

Among them, you have:

▪ Twelve years removed from the debacle that was the Athens Olympic Games, the USA basketball team looks to claim its third straight gold medal. The team will be without the services of LeBron James and Stephen Curry – the men seen by most as the top two players in the world. However, USA hoops will have Carmelo Anthony, who is seeking to become the first player in program history to claim three gold medals.

▪ After choosing to retire from the sport following the last Olympics in London, Michael Phelps will be taking to the water once again at this games, hoping to add to his already record-setting total of 18 gold medals.

▪ The latest in an athletic bloodline, 18-year-old Vashti Cunningham has her hopes set on making the medal stand. Not long ago – the daughter of former NFL quarterback Randall Cunningham, by the way – was competing at the high school level and moving her tassel from one side to the other. What a whirlwind of a year it would be for her to come back from Rio with a medal around her neck.

And then, there is Rio itself.

In recent memory, no Olympic Games has proven more controversial. Its selection much debated when picked over Chicago several years ago, guess it is only right for the common theme to continue.

Chosen when Brazil’s economy was booming, the Olympics arrive at a time where things aren’t as rosy. Such has prompted civil unrest, and speculation as to who the country’s head of government truly is.

Construction projects necessary to host the event either are behind or recently completed – mere days and weeks before Rio de Janiero is to hold the Olympics. Water that would be deemed unsanitary to most, is slated to play host to a number of events, leading one U.S. rower to say to those rooting her on back home, “I’ll row through (expletive) for you (sic).”

This without mentioning the obvious concern of the individuals competing and their families. Instead of worrying themselves solely with competing at the best of their abilities, they must also focus on the watching every step, not making a foray into an area that is more than willing to make them an easy target.

And that’s not to mention the threat of the Islamic State, hoping to continue its campaign of fear.

It’s a sad reality, but it is also the card with which the athletes, their families – and us as viewers – have been dealt.

Hopefully, athletics remains the focus of the upcoming Olympics. Unfortunately, if some sort of silliness were to occur, it would surprise no one.

The theme for the Rio Olympic Games was set from the moment it was awarded.

Coastal Carolina grad continues pursuit of gold

After setting an all-time high mark at the U.S. Olympic Qualifying Trials, former Coastal Carolina standout Amber Campbell makes her third trip to the Olympics, this time hoping to come home with more than memories.

She’ll be decked out in red, white and blue in Rio de Janiero, competing in the hammer throw competition. A 16-time Big South champion and five-time All-American, Campbell is banking on past experiences on the big stage to hopefully allow her to leave with a medal, if not a gold one.

“I have four more years of experience, first off,” Campbell said in a previous interview. “It’s unreal to actually believe that I am a three-time Olympian; it’s a dream come true. A lot of people don’t get to do it once, but I’m also confident in knowing that since I’ve been there before, I also know the stage is not too big and I can go in there free and ready to do my best.”

Of note …

High school football practice continues around the Grand Strand, with many area teams taking to the field early each morning. With each day, things become more intense, as by midweek players will begin full contact drills, with scrimmages starting by the weekend. … More than gridiron stars have begun taking to practice, however, as cross country, volleyball, swimming, girls golf and other sports have began preparations for their respective seasons. … Beginning the week on the road at the Frederick Keys, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans start a seven-game homestand on Thursday, hosting Carolina and Salem.

This story was originally published August 1, 2016 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Spectacle that is the Olympics set to open with plenty story lines."