The torch has been lit once again, the Olympic flag has been risen and the athletes have arrived to have their country's name held high, the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics have officially begun. Every four years the entire world watches these athletes demonstrate their skills and abilities in their respective sports. For us, it may be just something fun we watch on TV for a couple of weeks but these athletes have been preparing their entire lives for this moment. The moment where they can stand on that podium and hear their anthem play with their flag being raised. Every time someone steps on that podium, their dream is coming true, their hard-work has payed off and their love for the sport has grown even more. But even if an athlete does not make it to that podium, then making it to the Olympics is not something to be taken lightly. When you make it to the Olympics, it means you are one of the best and that alone is a great accomplishment.

I love the Olympics; everything about them. The grace a gymnast has while flying from one bar to another making it seem simple, the adrenaline a swimmer feels after winning a race, the power of a weight lifter as if he was lifting a feather, the beauty and perfection of synchronized swimmers. Personally, I do not consider myself an athlete, but I have always truly loved sports. I love watching sports and everything surrounding sports. I grew up with a dad and brother who always had a soccer match to watch on TV, and since I can remember I have always watched the Olympics, all day, everyday. I find them inspiring, think about all those morning workouts, sore muscles, blisters, tears that these athletes have had and all for a couple of seconds or maybe for some a couple of hour long events. Its truly inspiring, their dedication is something I have always admired and I think the Olympics are the perfect time for the entire world to see what real hard work looks like.

The Olympics are a time for the world to be united, it is an event that proves that not everything needs to be about war and hate, it shows that we can all be at peace and have pride for those Olympians that are representing our country. It demonstrates that we can all root for each other and gather around to applaud and praise the best of the best and stand up while hearing these anthems. These athletes need to be admired because they are those who are capable of uniting the entire world with their abilities.

Michael Phelps, one of the greatest Olympians of all time said, "You cant put a limit on anything, the more you dream the farther you get." He kept dreaming and the more he dreamt, the more medals he won and this is why I love sports, pure happiness and accomplishment comes from it. Keep that in mind for when you are watching the Olympic Games, these athletes had this dream their whole lives and it is something truly inspiring watching all of these dreams come true.