There are few sounds I love more than the Olympic theme song. When I first heard it last Friday before the opening ceremony, nostalgia overwhelmed my senses. The Olympics hold a very special place in my heart, and make me incredibly emotional, for several reasons.
The Olympics are usually held at pivotal points in my life.
Four years ago, the London Olympics were held a few weeks before I started high school. I remember watching them with childlike wonder and being so inspired to do big things. This time around, the Rio Olympics are kicking off right before I start college, and I'm feeling that same inspiration deep down in my bones. Four years from now, the Olympics will be held right after I graduate, as I head off into the big wide world. I'm always able to recall distinct memories from each Olympics, and every time I do, I'm filled with happiness.
The opening ceremony is an emotional rollercoaster.
I'm not kidding. As a person who has traveled the world and fallen in love with different cultures, the opening ceremony brings me to tears. First, we get to experience and celebrate the host country and everything that makes them proud. Second, we get to see 207 delegations march proudly across the stadium in their matching outfits, holding their flag high. Every face is taken over by proud smiles, and you can't help but smile back through your TV.
The Olympics put the whole world on pause.
Over the past year, the world has been wrecked with turmoil and pain, and it's been escalating even more in recent months. Just when everything seems like it's about to burst and explode and crash down around us, the Olympics kick off, and everyone who's been holding their breath gets a chance to exhale.
The Olympians are ridiculously talented, and so fun to watch.
I love hearing all the background stories of athletes from around the globe, and I love watching as they accomplish what they came for. I love watching them get excited with the people they love, and I love celebrating them with millions of others. The Olympics are the only place where I can cheer on a swimmer from Italy, a gymnast from America, and a tennis player from Egypt all at once.
The Olympics bring everyone together.
As a person who despises cliches, this wasn't easy for me to type. But I mean it. Where else can you see over 200 countries standing next to each other with smiles on their faces? Where else can you find people speaking different languages to each other right before they jump in a pool or line up in an arena to compete? Where else can you find a billion hearts all full of pride and patriotism, while still soaking up the cultures of their competitors? There is nothing like the Olympics.
That is why I cry during the Olympics. There is so much in our world to celebrate, and the Olympics only make it more obvious. It overtakes me with emotion and inspires me to write. While I do love watching all the competitors, I hope that U.S.A sweeps it all. Enjoy the games everyone!
