For those who love sports of all kinds, this is the moment we have waited for: the 2016 Rio Olympics. Personally, I’ve been waiting for this venue because Brazil is such a beautiful country, and I love watching all the different countries compete. Even though it is early in the Olympic Games, there has been plenty of excitement.

I think the most powerful moment of this Olympic Games was the opening ceremony and the proud display of universal love and peace among all countries.

The wonderful display of love and togetherness expressed in the opening ceremony was extremely moving and necessary after the recent attacks and disputes all over the world.

While watching the teams cross the floor and proudly represent their individual countries, I could not help but sense an overwhelming pride among those in attendance and even in myself. Of course, this was most likely due to the extreme excitement I get when every Olympics are on, but there was still a feeling of awe when the fireworks went off and they combined every aspect of Brazil’s vast and vibrant history into one incredible show that also focused on every country.

This year’s Olympics has already had its ups and downs with the hazard concerns with the water and Russian athletes being banned for doping charges, but it can only go positively from here, right?

In all seriousness, I can’t wait to watch all of the events and witness the best athletes from all around the world to compete in the greatest sporting event of all time. I mean who hasn’t dreamed of competing in the Olympics as a kid? Or even as an adult for that matter, because I still wish I could represent my country and compete to my fullest potential in the Olympic Games.

What sport you ask? I have no idea. Even the events that appear easy are too far out of my skill level to even come close in competing with those athletes. But that’s beside the point I’m trying to make, which is that we can all take something valuable from what this Olympic Games has already represented.

Now, obviously I may be a little biased on who to support during the Olympics, but who doesn’t? Everyone is going to support their own country in a way that brings everyone together. That aspect of the Olympic Games--the uncanny ability to bring everyone together for one miraculous event in some of the world’s most beautiful cities--is something that we need to strive for more often. Why is it that once in every four years we show our true pride for our country and the fact that we all live on the same planet?

Why can’t we have this kind of camaraderie at all times instead of having prejudiced and biased views and thoughts of those we may not know personally?

We should all come together at all times to show our love and pride to be with one another, more often instead of showing that pride for a few months then waiting another four years to be loving and accepting again. I can only hope that others feel the same way I do.

I say the ceremony was a powerfully moving presentation of peace, love, and culture, and we should continue to carry this pride and love long after the Olympics are over. We are the ones who can initiate change for the better and what better time to start than now.