There’s something about a season where the country gathers around the TV as a united force supporting each other. Now, I’m not a sports person by any means. Sports to me is confusing, painful, and unattainable. But then there’s the Olympics.

The Olympics is the one time where despite all the political turmoil going on in the country, we as Americans support those who have truly shown passion and greatness and that’s something I can’t ignore. I can’t just ignore this thing that only happens every four years in the middle of election season.

I don’t like to watch swimming here in America, but when I watch people compete globally, it somehow makes it that much more amazing. I would probably never watch gymnastics, but to see these men and women who have worked so hard to represent my country, it’s hard not to want to be a part of that.

And not only that, but the Olympics broadens my horizons. What’s curling? I wouldn’t know if I had never seen the Olympics. Where is Rio? I actually didn’t care until this year’s Olympics. The Olympics has given the world a time to for once forget about the struggles of foreign affairs so we can support our athletes.

Friday night, I watched the opening ceremonies of the 2016 Olympics from 7:30-12:30. I watched countries I didn’t even know existed march into the Olympics with pride. I watched the refugee come in united. The Olympics started with some eye opening presentations on how we as the world need to change things to keep our earth healthy. We were reminded that we as humans need to make changes to stop global warming, and to keep our rainforests.

The Olympics is more than just sports. Its unity. It’s community. It’s realizing that we don’t live in our little bubble of the United States, but in this big wide world. We all have to a part of the solution for peace, for a healthy world.

So yeah, I don’t like sports, but I love the Olympics. I try to watch at least two events in the Olympics because it is amazing the God given gifts that these people have. It is awesome to see the crazy things these people have worked so hard to do, whether that’s curling, diving, gymnastics, softball, horseback riding, or this year golf.

Even if you don’t like sports, watch the Olympics. Be a part of the international community. Watch America, or any other country. See the amazing things that these people can do. Yeah, it may not be as exciting for you, but for them, this is their moment to represent their country, and seeing that kind of emotion and pride is great to see. Yeah, you probably can’t even imagine doing the things they do, but that’s the beauty of it. These people were once not able to do what they do, and they made it to the Olympics. Maybe they can be your motivation.

Watch the Olympics, see the awesomeness of these athletes.