Every four years, the best athletes in the world gather together to compete in the Olympic Games. The Games bring a special kind of hype to the table. There's nothing like cheering on your country with all you have. No matter the sport, it's so exciting to watch your country put all they have to their game.
With this hype in mind, I just have one question: why do we only seem to care every four years?
I feel like in America the sports we care the most about are football and basketball. I can't help but feel like these other sports, the ones we cheer so hard for during the Olympics, are terribly under appreciated, and I'm not entirely sure why. I mean, our athletes are amazing, and they have beyond dominated in Rio this year!
Look at what the Final Five have done in gymnastics. The Team USA gymnasts have absolutely crushed it during these Games. They have put a ton of work into their training, and it has shown in the way they have all preformed.
Also, take a look at Michael Phelps. He has completely revolutionized the sport of swimming! He is the most decorated Olympian, and he isn't showing any signs of slowing down. Watching him race is always something special. Then there's Simone Manuel. She recently became the first African American woman to win a gold medal in an individual swimming event. She literally made history, and many of us got to watch it unfold. And I could say a lot about Katie Ledecky, but I'm just going to sum her up in one word: superhuman.
What about beach volleyball player, Kerri Walsh Jennings? She has never lost a single match in the Olympics. That is absolutely insane, and it shows just how amazing of an athlete she is.
Don't get me wrong, I don't have any problem with football or basketball. I actually love both sports! You will find me at my university's home football games cheering my heart out with the rest of them. However, I think it's time to give other sports and athletes more respect.
Every good athlete, no matter what sport they participate in, puts so much time, energy, and heart into training. So, why don't we give them the respect they deserve? They're in their respective training areas working just as hard as the football and basketball players we watch every game.
I've watched the Olympics for years, but these Games have opened my eyes to just how amazing our athletes are. They leave it all on the line, push themselves to the limits, and make sacrifices so they can better themselves in their sport.
I say we start giving these athletes the credit and attention they deserve. Let's cheer for Team USA, all of Team USA, well past the Olympics.
