Sprint

It's rare for me to be both entertained and on edge by a series where I already know the outcome of the events. The last time I felt this way was with The Offer. This show brought the world of sprinters to life in a way that completely captivated me. By the end, I had grown to love all the athletes, even the one who initially got on my nerves. An exceptionally well-done series. / Lesson learned: It's nice to see that Americans can still pleasantly surprise me. (07/03/2024)

I'm not someone you'd call a sports fan. The only team sport I passionately follow is professional rugby, but whenever there's some athletic event on TV, I often find myself glancing at it, only to realize an hour later that I'm completely hooked. On the track, I always root for Jamaica, because they don’t adopt foreign athletes, I love Usain Bolt’s style (on and off the track), and I adore the vibrant Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. After the first episode, I’m not entirely thrilled. I couldn’t warm up to Noah Lyles, I didn't see why I should care about his mother’s pregnancy test, and I was disappointed to see that off the track, these unstoppable human machines turned into less-than-bright fashion models. / Lesson learned: If you don’t want to lose your illusions, don’t delve into the sports behind-the-scenes. (07/02/2024)

I enjoyed the second episode much more than the first, mostly because it featured a lot more of Jamaica. I'll admit, I'm a bit of a gender-biased dinosaur, so the fashion choices of female athletes not only don't irritate me, but they actually amuse me. On the other hand, when male athletes spend more than an hour on their hair, it completely puts me off. Aside from the eccentric fashion statements, I saw some impressive sports performances. No one was waving around pee-stained litmus papers, and overall, I had a good time, which helped bump up my rating. / Lesson learned: Don't piss off Wolverine. (07/02/2024)

Despite the quality of this episode, I had to lower my rating. Why? I've developed a strong dislike for Noah Lyles since the first episode, partly because I can’t stand loudmouthed Americans who love to hear themselves talk. His doting mother, who understandably thinks he's the best kid in the world, doesn't help either. I heard all this in the first episode, and I really don’t need a constant reminder. However, despite my grumbling, I'll admit the creators did a fantastic job capturing the stadium atmosphere and bringing it into my living room, so much so that I felt the tension even though I already knew the outcome. / Lesson learned: Being able to accept defeat with grace is a mark of great character. 3*+ (07/03/2024)

How could I possibly rate these episodes impartially when I'm clearly rooting for the Jamaican team? I had to give this episode five stars because it focused heavily on the Jamaican queens of speed. I got to spend some time with my favorite athlete, a not-so-tall but incredibly fast sprinter who’s been at the top for over a decade, even at 36. This episode was hands down the best for me so far. / Lesson learned: You can outrun poverty, but you have to run very, very fast. (07/03/2024)

There was a noticeable decrease in the one-upping moments, and the focus shifted to the actual races. Once again, the creators managed to create suspense even though I knew the outcomes. That’s a testament to some excellent storytelling. / Lesson learned: Some journalists' questions to athletes are infuriating, so I thoroughly enjoyed Sha’Carri Richardson’s sharp responses. (07/03/2024)

ust as I expected, the finale turned out to be the best of the series. I even found myself liking Noah Lyles after just one of his press conference responses. The finale brought the ultimate races, and it was truly a spectacle. The only downside was the absence of the women's 4x100 meter relay. Overall, it was an incredible experience. / Lesson learned: Watch out for those suicidal golf cart drivers. (07/03/2024)