With the 2016 presidential election coming up in November, Democrats and Republicans are back at each other’s necks stronger than ever. Trump and Hilary couldn’t be more opposite and their fan bases mimic this contrast. It’s also been a tough year in an uncorrelated but extremely relevant divide in other aspects of society- for example, the resulting unease that some have developed for certain religious affiliations in light of the recent attack in Orlando. Not to mention the riots and ever-growing tension between police officials and equality activists groups. This year could very well be described as the year of taking sides. It can seem like the ‘United States’ are anything but.

However, despite all of the animosity, division, and mistrust, there’s one thing that has always been able to bring us together as a country: An opponent.

The Olympics are a time for America to unite as a country and cheer for the same man/woman to bring home the hardware. Whether one guy cheers for Bernie and another guy is pulling for Trump, they BOTH want Michael Phelps to kick absolute ASS. And despite their demographic or profession, I can guarantee you that they were screaming at the top of their lungs for Simone Daniels when she brought home gold.

It’s just what we do. Anytime it is us against another country, we manage to put our differences aside and come together for one common purpose: To prove that, even as dysfunctional as we can be, we are still number one.

So keep cheering, guys. Keep watching the United States compete. These athletes have put blood, sweat, and tears into their craft, and have worked their whole lives for this moment… so let’s try to live in it for as long as we can.