It’s that time again. The few weeks of summer where I’m glued to my television, rooting for the home team, waxing poetic about sports that I only remember exist every four years (Steeplechase, anyone?): It’s the Summer Olympics.

I love the Olympics. I can’t quite explain what fills me with such on-the-edge-of-my-seat excitement when the Games start, but I know that tradition has something to do with it. Nowadays, the world can change rapidly within four years, but (most of the time) the Olympics continue unscathed, and athletes from around the world gather in the same place with the same goal in mind. It’s cliché, sure, but how can you not be inspired by the perfect forward two-and-a-half somersault dive?

With the opening ceremonies just about three weeks away, I’ve been busy—I’ve read up on the U.S. athletes (the official website has lots of great information) and watched the qualifying heats in diving, swimming, gymnastics, track and field, etc.  I’ve searched out the Free Library’s website and found some great reading suggestions about the history of the Olympics though the ages. FLP’s even got an Author Events podcast from David Maraniss discussing his book Rome 1960: The Olympics That Changed the World.

So as the Torch gets closer and closer to London, and the athletes beat out their final competitors to board their planes to England, I’ll be keeping tabs back at home. And with my newly found heap of resources, I’m looking forward to a summer of sports. Let the games begin!