What The Olympics Mean To Me | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

What The Olympics Mean To Me

It's about the world coming together for good

18
What The Olympics Mean To Me
E Online

Every two years when the Olympics take over, everything else seems to fade into the background; At least that's how it is in my house. For as long as I can remember, the Olympics have been like a national holiday to my family. For those two weeks of competition, it's all we watch and talk about. The media seems to do the same, with constant coverage and updates; always a new winner to interview or an event to air.

I know not everyone feels the same way about the Olympics, some people seem to forget they're even happening. It still shocks me that there are people who could not care less about them when I actually feel a little tinge of sadness when I can't watch. It's about more than just the competition though. It's about athletes from nations all over the world coming together for the love of their sport. It's about representing their country through hard work and dedication.

It's about the Bolivian swimmer who was overwhelmed by emotions at the opening ceremonies. It's about the 19 year old boy whose childhood dream came true. It's about training even harder than before for redemption. It's about the team of refugees competing together. It's about the athletes who break their own world records.

The athletes who give it their all even if they aren't favored to win. The athletes who smile and scream and hug and cry when they win a medal, and the ones who are brought to tears hearing their national anthem on the podium. Whether it's their first or nineteenth time, that reaction never seems to change. Their pride in that moment is enough to melt even the coldest of hearts.


It's not that the problems of the world disappear, it's just that we choose to focus on the good. The games serve as a distraction to the constant stress and sadness we face pretty much every other day. We get sucked in to the beauty of the world coming together in one place, everyone hoping to make his or her home country proud. We see sportsmanship and friends among competitors. We see that people of almost every race, religion, and background can all get along and come together to do great things.

I know not everyone is like me when it comes to the Olympics, and that most people don't cry over the extinguishing of the flame at the end of the games (true story, London 2012, watched the closing ceremonies twice, cried both times). But if you aren't on the edge of your seat when your country is competing, cheering on the athletes as if you were there in the stands then you really have to work on your national pride. Because in a world where every day seems to bring a new tragedy, it's nice to shine a a little golden light on everything.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

397
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

242
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

199158
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

20245
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments