My road to becoming an armchair sports fan

As a kid, I played basketball and baseball, which are the only sports I understand. Baseball became boring and basketball is now a game for spoiled, overpaid, vulgar players, so I was no longer interested. That is, until Yao Ming joined the Houston Rockets. He is a gifted player from my adopted country, who not only stays away from scandal but even wants his mom to travel with him.

Like many in China, my friends and I would figure out when his games were to be broadcast and we'd cheer him on. He is still an excellent player (albeit an injured one) and a true gentleman. I read whatever I can about this fine young man and I have to admit that I'm in love with him.

I was spending a few days in Tanggu, Tianjin, with Gerda, a Colombian colleague, who became "family."

Her two kids are teens now and I love being their "Aunty." We simply wanted to spend some time together, so I just did what they did and what they wanted to do was watch the World Cup. I didn't tell them I loathed watching sports, especially football. Glad I didn't. As we watched together, I became fascinated with the game; I fell in love with it.

Such athleticism! Such strategy! Such suspense! I could see why the game creates so much excitement all over the world, except, it must be said, in America where we call it soccer. Then I returned home, turned on the TV and found myself unable to tear myself away from the US Open Golf! I am watching golf? It gets curiouser and curiouser.

I was now tuning in regularly to the sports channel and it wasn't long before I found the most exciting game yet! The same athleticism and strategy, but able to pass using hands. "What is that?" I asked an Ozzie friend. He looked at me to see if I was joking. I wasn't.

"That is rugby, don't tell me you've never seen it before," he said, with the same tone you'd say. "Don't tell me you've never seen a potato before." He walked away muttering something about "bloody Americans."

Well, I never had. However now I was hooked. During the World Cup I could stoke the fires of my new passion. The Open is over, but there'll be other contests as the year goes on and I am on the prowl to find as many rugby games as I can.

I've fallen in love with sports. As a psychologist I've tried to analyze it. What in the world is going on here? I've not got a satisfactory answer but I think it has something to do with, just by chance, happening to see excellence.

I'm the sort of person who wishes the Olympics were less about nationalism and more about cheering on those who excel. Watching football/soccer, golf and rugby I didn't know the rules nor had any attachment to who won or lost. I could simply enjoy sports for sports' sake. By sheer chance I've found three new loves. If I fail to return your calls promptly, don't worry, I will. After the game.