The summer Olympics only come around once every four years. Athletes dedicate themselves to their training so that they can win the elusive title of best athlete in the world. All of these athletes have different nationalities and backgrounds, and it is fascinating to realize that there are people from countries that you never even knew existed before. In diving events you can hear different countries counting in their own language, and see how a country’s name on their uniforms is in their own language. You start to feel proud and passionate about your country, singing along to the national anthem and rooting for your team even when it is a sport you have never cared about before. The Olympics is a competition where athletes can improve themselves, be challenged, and compete to be an athlete par excellence, but the athletes under pressure to go for the gold and be the best are acting graciously to their fellow competitors.

Sportsmanship and Friendship are obvious throughout these games

Have you seen how much hugging has been happening at these Olympics!?

USA Gymnastics teammates Madison Kocian and Laurie Hernandez

Britain’s Tom Daley and teammate after they won bronze in diving

USA Women’s swim team after winning gold in the 4 x 200

These guys aren’t even on the same team, and the man who won is crying!

Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte are considered to be big rivals, but they have a friendship that is still strong throughout all of their competition.

In an interview on the NBC Olympic coverage, Michael Phelps stated that he likes a challenge, and that the Olympics are really about challenging each other and pushing each other to do their best. Ryan Lochte has stated in NBC interviews that he and Phelps bring out the best in each other.

Ryan Lochte also has mentioned in an NBC personal coverage clip that he looked up to a swimmer from the 1992 Olympics that displayed an impressive degree of sportsmanship, Pablo Morales, and that is who he models his character after.

The athletes competing want to win, but they support and respect their fellow athletes and allow themselves to be humbled. Every athlete competing in the Olympics knows that they are there to prove their skills, and putting other athletes down will not make them any better in competition. Hug it out!