On any given day, if you were to approach me and ask me to tell me what's wrong with America, I could give you a laundry list. Sometimes, I wake up and read the national news and it makes me sad to think about the things that are happening in the country and frankly, I get embarrassed. But every four years, something happens in America that peaks my nationalistic pride: the Olympics.

For a while, I couldn't really pinpoint what it was. Normally, the sappy patriotic stuff doesn't really get to me, but sit me in front of a TV and play the national anthem with one of our own on a podium and I'm weeping like an infant.

This year, as I was watching the recap of the events and everyone from the United States who won, seeing the faces of the women's gymnastics team as they recieved their gold medals, I finally began to understand. The athletes who represent our team represent all of the wonderful diverse parts of America.

The athletes who work tirelessly and sacrifice so much of their lives to become the best at their sport come from different socioeconomic backgrounds, are of different religions, are of different races and genders. They embody the American dream: that by dedicating yourself to your goals, nothing is unachievable. This isn't to say that is nothing problematic about any of the athletes there (looking at you right now, Ryan Lochte), but that's a different topic for a different article.

Watching the men and women who compete be brought to tears by a win (or even a loss) is enough to make you do the same because people can see themselves in the people who are bringing pride to their country. It makes kids feel like they can be anything that they want to be. It makes adults feel like they can see progress being made. Ultimately, in some way, the United States winning these events allows people to believe in hope for their country, their children and themselves.

The camaraderie between the team members is refreshing. The dog-eat-dog mentality that many athletes display, while very necessary at times, can grow to be too intense. I'm incredibly supportive of the tough mentality that the competitors must have in these kinds of situations, but I also am delighted by the willingness to support and congratulate the other members of your team in other events or even those competing directly against you.

In the challenging times we face as a country, these Olympics could not have come at a more opportune time. With every medal win, or even just one of our own competing in an event, we grow closer as a nation. We are able to watch the triumphs and failures together, bonded as a beautifully diverse people.