The 2016 Summer Olympics began just a few short days ago, and already there are problems. The Zika virus, unclean water, and the need for extra security have many wondering about the safety of those at the games. Despite all of the worries, I'm still excited for the games. I love the Olympics. This often surprises people, because I'm a scrawny white girl who looks like she hasn't seen the sun since the last time there was a summer Olympics game, but every time there's an Olympics, whether it's summer or winter, the games are the only thing you'll see playing on my TV. The Olympics excite me, and here's why you should be excited, too.
1. The diversity of the opening and closing ceremonies is incomparable.
No matter what you enjoy in life, the opening and closing ceremonies have it all. Do you like fashion? Just check out these awesome uniforms:
Into music? At the opening ceremony, you could hear the incredible guitar stylings of Brazilian natives, Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil.
Are you a pyromaniac? Good news! There's even a giant torch that'll be on fire throughout the entirety of the games.
And, of course, if you like sports, the Olympic stadium was filled wall to wall with athletes during the opening ceremony, and they'll reconvene in the stadium again at the end of the games during the closing ceremonies. So whatever you love, you can find it at the ceremonies.
2. Athletes become heroes.
When Michael Phelps first swam at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, it was evident that he was a great swimmer, but nobody expected what was to come in his future. Over the course of the next three Olympic games in Athens, Beijing, and London, Phelps won a total of 22 medals, becoming the most decorated Olympic athlete of all time.
Throughout his Olympic career, Michael Phelps became a hero like many current athletes and those that came before him. These games will be no different. By the time these Olympics have ended, there will be at least one new Olympic hero in the world. It's just a matter of time before we find out who it is.
3. The athleticism is undeniable.
American sports are a huge competition to be the best, whether it's football, baseball, basketball, or...well, whatever other sports the kids are watching these days. Everyone insists that their favorite team is the best when, more often than not, there isn't any "best" sports team. But when it comes to the Olympics, it's indisputable that these athletes are the best of the best. It wasn't by chance that any one of these athletes made it to Rio; they worked hard. Olympic athletes go through rigorous training before they even make it to the qualifying rounds. When the Olympic trials came around, the boxers boxed, the swimmers swam, the runners ran, and the gymnasts...gymmed?
They did everything they could to make it to the top. When you see each of these athletes at the games, you can guarantee that win or lose, these are the best of the best and their skills can't be denied.
4. The U.S. unites.
Despite being called the "United" States, our country isn't always 100 percent united. That's OK. It's impossible for everyone in a country to completely agree on everything. But when it comes to the Olympics, everyone in the United States can come together to celebrate the athletes we've sent forward as representatives of our country. No matter what race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation, the athletes we send to the Olympics are a group to be proud of. Win or lose, our athletes are ours, and that's something we should never forget.
5. The world unites.
There's a lot of turmoil in the world. There are wars in the Middle East. There have been bombings around the world. Outbreaks of diseases such as Zika and E. coli have many fearing for their lives. None of this matters at the Olympics. The stadiums are put under extensive security measures. The area is inspected by doctors and environmentalists to ensure that the athletes remain healthy throughout the games. Once the games begin, these issues become unimportant. For 17 days, the entire world comes together to forget their differences and compete.
No matter the country, no matter the sport, this is an opportunity for athletes and spectators to unite and celebrate greatness. Nothing is greater than the glory of simply being a part of The Olympic Games.
