The Olympic Games are a spectacle that often find a way to capture the world’s attention with new world records and athletic feats.

     This year’s games in London begin with the opening ceremony on July 27 and Brookhaven Recreation Director Terry Reid said the games have a noticeable impact on enrollment trends in his department.

     “The year the Olympics are played we pick up 30 to 40 percent in our gymnastics program,” he said. “Over the three years between the Olympics it goes back down, and when the Olympics come back it goes back up. When the kids see the gymnasts on TV, they just get motivated.”

     He said the department has around 100 children involved it its gymnastics program every year from September until May and had 40 participate this summer in their gymnastics summer camp.

     Reid said fast pitch softball also got big boost after the Olympics started playing the game and the city typically sees an increase in interest there as well after the games.

     “I project softball and gymnastics to be big next year for us because it will be after the Olympics,” he said. “The kids watch it and talk about it, and it’s a big deal and a big boost for our enrollment.”

     People usually have different levels of excitement for the Olympics, and that holds true this year the people in Lincoln County interests varies widely.

     Lincoln County resident Homer Richardson said he’s enjoyed watching the Olympics for 50 or 60 years now, but his interest is usually limited to a few of the events.

     “I usually watch the key ones that team USA does well in,” he said. “I don’t watch it from beginning to end. I try to catch the opening and some events that I’m interested in.”

          The United States has been an Olympic power since the inception of the modern Olympic Games as the red, white and blue has won by far the most total medals in winter and summer games combined.

     Other Brookhavenites said they were interested in specific competitions at the Olympics.

     Aaron Moore, 18, of Brookhaven said he was looking forward to watching Team USA Basketball take the court.

     “I’m excited to watch LeBron James play,” he said. “I think it would be great to see him win a gold medal in the same year he won the NBA championship.”

     Moore said he expected big things out of Team USA Basketball and thought they’d defend their 2008 gold medal.

     Tyler Thomas, 16, of Brookhaven said he was excited about basketball and track events.

     “I think Usain Bolt of Jamaica will set another world record in the 100 meters,” he said.

     Thomas went on to predict a USA-Spain gold medal game in basketball with Team USA coming out on top.

     Fans of the Olympics often cite awards ceremonies when their country wins as being their favorite moment as it gives them a sense of national pride.

     Richardson said he agrees with that.

     “I do feel a sense of pride when team USA wins an event,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what event it is, with the amount of effort put into training it means something. Each time I see them stand on the podium it gives me a good feeling.”