Displays of united patriotism are few in bars these days. Instead, we spend most of our time yelling at one another over whose alma mater reigns for the night. But those in need of a hearty "USA!" pub chant are in luck-never is toasting the accomplishments of ripped 17-year-olds more accepted than at a pub during the Olympics. Even if you're not a Games addict, it's hard not to get swept up in the cheers as an American-flag-festooned swim cap breaks away from the pack. And if you're going to be spending the next week staring at screens with a drink in hand, you might as well make the best of it with the most patriotic of drinking games. Fans are no doubt making their own rules in bars across town, but here are a few to get you started:
- Anyone who can't name all the events in the Modern Pentathlon buys a round.
- One drink any time a rhythmic gymnast picks up/throws/catches anything with her feet. Sympathy chug for 10 seconds if a hoop is dropped.
- Two drinks if anyone complains that the FIBA-issued basketball is slippery or over-inflated. Finish your drink if it's pointed out how odd Team USA basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski looks in red.
- Pour out a drink if the Netherlands' women's field hockey team does not advance. Shots for anyone who hasn't Google Image-searched the team yet.
- Drink any time Ryan Seacrest inexplicably ends up on screen. Drink your way through any and all John McEnroe special reports.
- One drink at a mention of Michael Phelps' record-breaking. Two drinks any time Ryan Lochte looks kind of pissed. Shotgun your beer if there's finally a Phelps-Lochte fist fight.
- Two drinks if the camera catches someone forgetting the words to our national anthem. Polite refueling break if the camera catches someone crying after a poor performance.
- Finish your drink if you maybe thought handball and racquetball were the same thing.
- Two drinks every time sand is flicked from inappropriate places during beach volleyball.
- Group waterfall while hopping on one foot any time Kerri Strug is shown in montages or mentioned in commentary.
Have any other suggestions? Send 'em my way. We'll add the best online so the rest of the Chicago drinking world can join in.
Emily Van Zandt is a RedEye reporter. Handball blew her mind. evanzandt@tribune.com | @redeyedrinks