Ode to Olympic Spandex

Aliya Mustafina for the Olympic makeup win. Glamour Magazine, Page 62, October 2012

I love many things.  Spandex- you know.  The Olympics- I'm sure you're aware of that one as well.  What else?  The Today Show.  I can't explain my love for the morning news program, or why I absolutely lost my shit upon seeing Al Roker when I was at the Oscars in 2009 (yeah- that's how we roll!), but I absolutely love the Today Show. You know what I think the Today Show would love?  This blog.  I mean, really- who wouldn't?  Ok, Nike and Ralph Lauren might not be my biggest fans this Olympic season, but I doubt anyone is theirs either.  I digress. Want to help a sister out?   Click here to e-mail the Today Show about Ode to Olympic Spandex!  Tell them how much you love the blog, and be sure to include the link to the site ( www.olympicspandex.blogspot.com ).  Make OTOS internet famous!!! On a semi-related note, thank you to the THOUSANDS (over 9000!) of people who have visited this blog over the last two weeks.  Whe...

Fear not, dear readers.  Last night may have marked the end of the Games of the XXX Olympiad, but Ode to Olympic Spandex isn't slowing down.  We have endless opinions on the fashions of the Olympics and we will be sure to share them with you. What can you look forward to in the coming days from OTOS? Wrestling! Track and field! Rhythmic gymnastics! Rowing! More! In addition to this, stay tuned for our thoughts on the Closing Ceremony (and how the Spice Girls nearly caused us to pass out). And if you've got a bad case of the after-Olympics-blues, let this console you: the next Olympics (Sochi, 2014) aren't even a full two years away.  You only have to wait a year and a half! 2014 Winter Olympics Countdown

I realize that cycling has been happening in some form or another since day one of the Olympics, but I was distracted by all the leotards.  I'm about to be even MORE distracted by them because Rhythmic Gymnastics is just getting underway.  But, I digress.  Cycling.  If you've got a hankering for Olympic unitards, THIS IS YOUR SPORT (we'll touch on wrestling a bit later). We started the week with the men's and women's road races, which in photographic form look more like a parade of colorful unitards. Now let's get into the nitty gritty of it all. Kazakhstan:  I don't really understand Kazakhstan's national color palate.  In a bedding situation I am really into those colors.  I also think the emblem on their flag is really beautiful (the circle on his chest- in flag form it has more intricate detailing).  That being said, these colors don't translate well to a unitard.  It's rare that I would make this call, but I think i...

According to E! News, the Spice Girls were spotted rehearsing for their closing ceremony number yesterday in London. Victoria Beckham Reunites With Spice Girls as Pop Stars Rehearse for Olympics Closing Ceremony I want to say that the 14 year old me is dying right now, but let's be real. "I'm a power girl in a '90s world"- present day me is ALL ABOUT THIS!!!!

Omg.  Readers.  I thought that I was going to have to create my own Aliya Mustafina makeup tutorial for you, but upon Googling "Aliya Mustafina makeup" I was presented with an onslaught of tutorials, pictures, and general awesomeness. Let me tell you about Ms. Mustafina.  I've loved her from day one because NBC labeled her a diva.  A Russian, gymnastics DIVA.  Girl also wears 75 pounds (31.0194 kg, if you're in Russia) of glitter in her hair and on her eyes.  She is my Olympic beauty idol.  Honestly, I'm thinking of forgoing my Princess Sophia Grace Halloween/Purim costume in favor of going as Aliya Mustafina.  I'm obsessed. I've included a makeup tutorial below, however it fails to include two important tips. 1.  You must wear your best bitch face with this look.  I'm not saying that Aliya Mustafina is a bitch- I'm telling you that girl knows what she wants and will go Hunger Games on your ass to get it. 2.  Afte...

This past Sunday morning, I did what I normally do on weekend mornings when I have no plans: lie in my bed and watch TV.  What made this Sunday different from all other Sundays was that I was watching the Olympics.  What made this day of watching the Olympics different from any other day of watching the Olympics was that finally - FINALLY - I spotted it: the amazing, beautiful, and previously absent American flag leotard. US trampoliner (trampolinist?) Savannah Vinsat flying high in a lovely leo. My mother, who knows all about my love of spandex and this specific leotard (she has a link to this blog on her phone's homescreen- so what if I put it there?) was also watching NBC at this exact moment and sent me the following e-mail: To: OlympicSpandex From: Mom Subject: USA gymnast this am on tv Message: They are wearing the red, white and blue spandex outfits. It was a truly magical moment, but this story gets even better.  For those of you on the We...

Which Olympic sports are best and worst to watch on TV? Fourth-Place Medal ranks all 32. This is an excellent article, written with as much snark as you would expect from Ode to Olympic Spandex.  While I disagree with some of their rankings, that fact is outweighed by the entertainment value of the article itself.  Enjoy, fair readers!

"Companies like Nike and Adidas use the Olympics as a stage to build awareness of the brand." Read more:  http://www.sfgate.com/business/networth/article/Olympics-showcase-launch-athletic-wear-3767308.php#ixzz22tjuiu5K As of right now, my awareness is on the fact that the BUTT UGLY podium jacket retails for a whopping $450.  At that price, there best be an Olympic medal included!  Adidas may fare better in this respect.  I'm a big fan of the Team GB by Stella McCartney for Adidas swag.  If you are able to convince your computer that you are NOT in the US, you can purchase Team GB replica gear (down the the swimsuits!) at shop.london2012.com .

Readers, we have a special treat for you today.  I have a friend named Julia, who in turn has a friend named Julia.  Julia once removed is currently living in London and was lucky enough to score tickets to one of the synchronized swimming events.  She kindly agreed to share her first-hand account and pictures of the experience with all of you! "Duet Synchronized Swimming is the event to see!" Claire and I had the great fortune of being able to attend Synchronized Swimming at the Olympics this afternoon. We took the Javelin train (6 minutes) from St. Pancras to Stratford, and a much discussed ordeal about transport was in reality effortless. An abundance of chirpy and enthusiastic volunteers greeted us at every turn, as we followed the fuchsia signs to the Olympic park, and although warned for Airport security lines, we simply went through the metal detector without any waiting, and proceeded into the grand Olympic Park. Unfortunately we were visually accosted w...

I'm not going to lie.  Tonight's primetime coverage of the Olympics on NBC has been dismal.  Early on in the broadcast they spent 10ish minutes talking about the history of time.  Or something like that.  Then it related to space.  I don't really know- I zoned out.  Additionally, it is 10:35 pm and gymnastics had not even been MENTIONED until five minutes ago. However, a light shone through the darkness of this boring broadcast, and that was Olympic hurdler Felix Sanchez of the Dominican Republic.  The combination of this one-piece red and blue suit in a sea of solid red and his ULTRA stylish sunglasses make him a winner in our book.  Coincidentally he is also a winner in the Olympics' book, as he just won the gold in the men's 400m hurdles. Mazel tov to you, Mr. Sanchez, and keep up the good work! Glory.  Pure glory. If you can draw your attention away from the obvious bulge in his pants, this picture is amazing. We love how...

Wow.  There really are no words.  Synchronized swimming is absolutely the intersection of athletics, pop culture, and awesome.  The only thing I can say is that I NEED one of each of these suits.  It really isn't an option for me to continue life without them.  Below are some STANDOUTS from the first two days of synchronized swimming duets.  Click here , here , and here for more slideshows that will have you placing an order for a suit of your own, Russia channels the King of Pop.  RIP Michael Jackson. Switzerland.  I REALLY hope they were swimming to " Mo Money, Mo Problems. " Photos: http://files.2012.nbcolympics.com/mm/photo/sport/general/48/95/67/489567_m21.jpg http://files.2012.nbcolympics.com/mm/photo/photos/general/48/99/90/489990_m21.jpg

If you have been following this blog since the Vancouver Olympics (or were motivated enough to read back through all of my posts), you will recall my one-sided internet love affair with Canadian personality, Spandy Andy (click here  and here  for back story if you need to catch up). Spandy, my spandex love, has finally made his way to London to spread the gospel of spandex to Olympians and spectators alike.  Check him out! If you're in London for the Games, be sure to track Spandy Andy down!

It's been a big week in the Aquatic Centre (British spelling intentional).  From a variety of Phelps/Lochte pool showdowns, to broken world records; from doping allegations , to unintentional censorship of male divers - excitement has been all around. Here at Ode to Olympic Spandex, we've been focused on far more important things: swimwear.  The Aquatics Centre is a veritable gold mine of water-ready spandex, and we would be remiss not to give you a full rundown of all the glory. Team USA:  I would like to applaud world record breaker Rebecca Soni for also breaking the mold with this pink suit.  It clearly propelled her to Olympic greatness.  As for the other women, I am intrigued by the center mesh cut-out.  I wonder if this creates a speed advantage, or if it is merely for fashion? Spain:  Ok, I admit these caps are not made of spandex.  But the Spanish water polo team rocked this purple like no one else could, and they ...

***APOLOGIES THAT THIS IS SO DELAYED!*** The Opening Ceremony of the Games of the XXX Olympiad were nothing short of a spectacle.  Seeing pictures on Twitter, Facebook, and the greater internet prior to NBC's official primetime coverage was exciting and heartbreaking, all rolled into one.  Post viewing, I have come to the conclusion that I am not British enough to fully "get it," but that's ok.  I still thoroughly enjoyed myself.  I was really taken by the Industrial Revolution, and obviously this part: I have no clue what is happening here, but I like it. Let's be real, though.  As much fun as the show itself was, the Parade of Nations was where the excitement and poor clothing choices (coughUnitedStatescough) were at, not to mention a solid educational opportunity.  Who's ready for a geography quiz ???  Below, find my best and worst dressed of the Parade of Nations: BEST: Denmark This is what I imagine it would look like if the cast ...