“I’ve always seen the Olympics as a place where you could act out your differences on the athletic field with a sense of sportsmanship and fairness and mutual respect.” ~ Andrew Young
“I’ve realized the extraordinary power of sports to heal, unite and inspire. I believe the Olympics will serve as the ultimate platform to provide positive changes and I hope to inspire all of Japan through my strong showing there.” ~ Kohei Uchimura
As a former figure skater their is a certain amount of pride that comes every four years. Whether you are an athlete itching to compete in the Winter or Summer olympics, rooting for friends, or just love watching. The knowing that these athletes have worked their booties off to get to where they are. Through blood, sweat, tears and the embodiment of what endurance is.
That every two years the world unites to support these athletes who have dedicated so much to compete. Missing special events, social lives, down time. Strict work out regiments and diets. Every moment of their life, has been bred and breathed to walk into that arena under their nations flag and do what they do best: Compete in their chosen sport.
For a moment, perhaps only having one chance, they will push their bodies boundaries to be the absolute best. Sometimes it is luck, other times it is sheer training.
Through it all the world is watching and cheering. Families take time out of their busy lives to sit and watch. Children are inspired as they look on watching every day people achieve their dreams.
It is a moment that comes and you realize the world really needs this. Where diplomatic negotiations aren’t done at a table, but on the court. In the seventies and eighties it was heavily joked that the Cold War was fought on the ice and on fields between the US and the USSR. That it wasn’t bullets and bombs that define our countries, but our athletes.
They are the ultimate representation of what unity is. Of when walls and barriers are torn down. Political bullshit is put aside, and the world just roots. For their own athletes and yes those who are the underdog. Those who are attempting the extraordinary. And those who have already achieved it.
I end this with Katy Perry’s video Rise:
Will you be watching the Olympics? What are your favorite sports?
