There is fall, spring, summer, and winter. Great seasons. And every four years, there’s Olympic season. And all over the country, people gather in front of their televisions with eagerness and anticipation for the athletes that stand before them, and they realize that the Olympics are something more than a highly acclaimed sports rivalry between nations.
It brings us together
Turn on the news, open up the newspaper, pull up a feed on your phone. Right now, you see a divided country of Democrats vs. Republicans, of Trump vs. Clinton, of friends against friends, and family angry at family because politics hit home. Everyone has their opinion, and everyone wants to be heard. But in the midst of this all, for sixteen full days, there’s something better to talk about. And no matter your race, your status, your gender, your religion, your sexual orientation, your age, your beliefs, your values, or your political standpoint, you’re an American. For sixteen days, you get to watch some of the most talented Americans compete with you, because of you, and for you. Hardworking, disciplined, determined athletes, all embodying American ideals.
It shows us the realities of our dreams
Little girls come home from gymnastics, still in their sparkly leotards and chalk-stained hands, and sit in front of the T.V. mesmerized by their idols. College track and field athletes get inspiration for their summer workout. Young swimmers lock in, hair still wet from their time in the pool tonight. The Olympics are proof of dreams, and the truth behind the dreams. They show young athletes all across the nation that what you’re doing right now matters, the dreams in your head matter, and the way in which you pursue them matter most. Back stories run on each individual: the obstacles they've overcome, the challenges they've endured, the hardships that have plagued their careers. Yet, they are still there, at the ultimate athletic pinnacle point, and they make us hold those dreams little tighter.
It makes us proud
The Olympic games make you proud to be an American, to hear the nation anthem over and over again, to see the stars and stripes raised, to see the smiles and tears as gold medals are draped around necks. For awhile, we are not the fast-food abundant country in debt. We are brought back to our roots, pulled back into the idea of the “American Dream,” of better lives, and of a place that you want to call your home, more than ever.
So it's more than okay to sit on your couch for awhile and take it all in. And ironically, when it's all over, you'll probably have been given a really good reason to get up off it again.
