Today marks the one-week anniversary of the 2010 Olympics! And what a week it's been. The Olympics are easily one of my favorite things ever. When I watch the opening/closing ceremonies and an American win a gold, I always get chills. And that music! The theme song, when they play "The Star Spangled Banner," ugh! Honestly, it's not uncommon for it all to make me teary-eyed as well. Something about the Olympics is so spectacular and so unimaginable that watching them puts me in this extremely surreal and spacey mood.
First, the opening ceremonies. The ceremony itself is always beautiful. It's so true and authentic and so evoking and it always fools me into feeling as if I am or desiring to be a citizen of that country. And when the Olympics officially start, the world seems to stop, just for a moment, and welcome everyone. Mankind is somehow magically unified when the Olympics begin. It's mind-blowing to me. So many hostilities are just pushed away and forgotten, even if only for two weeks. The Olympics have curing powers.
Second, simply being a competitor there must be completely mind-blowing! I mean, I know everyone who's there deserves it and has worked incredible amounts to be there. All the same, however, I canNOT imagine that dedication and perseverance. I've never been enough about anything that I was willing to dedicate the rest of my future life to it! It's just so incredibly admirable that these people have that quality. Additionally, this choice they have made is so unstable--one bad crash and your career could be out the window. One minor slip up, and you could be instantly out of the running, and maybe you don't get to come back next time. If it's really bad, as we saw with the tragic loss of the Georgian athlete, your life could be taken. Athletes, to me, are perhaps the bravest and biggest risk-takers out there.
Third, the event itself. The nerves these players must be undergoing! SO incomprehensible! I mean, sure, I've had my moments where I know people are watching me and there's pressure to be perfect, but there's no comparison. The Olympics? The gathering of the world's greatest athletes? All eyes on you, TV cameras, millions watching YOU from all across the world. I don't know if I'd ever be able to handle that sort of pressure. Again, only the deepest respect to these athletes.
Fourth, the results. It takes an incredibly strong person to come to a competition after consistently being one of the best, and then being told you're less than. Those who handle it with dignity and professionalism have all my respect in the world.
(SIde note: Plushenko, you got the silver because you couldn't execute your tricks well. Suck it up and admit defeat. And by defeat I mean second best IN THE WORLD. Calm down. We all know that that was what you were thinking, but professionalism needs to step in and overcome your gut reaction because you were given immense respect and you need to reciprocate it. Punk.)
Winners, on the other hand, are another story. Of course, I expect them to be courteous and respectful of the other competitors, but winning an Olympic gold (or getting any medal, for that matter) is truly an unparalleled life event. The moment they realize that they've won and it's caught on film, my heart melts. I can't even imagine that moment. Realizing that YOU are the best in the whole world. ...that's so insane! I once had the honor of being named best in my state, and that put me on top of the world! To be the absolute best, unrivaled by anything on this planet, is such an honor and such an incredible achievement that it is IMPOSSIBLE to undermine these people.
Fifth, the closing ceremonies. I can only imagine how an experience like the greatest sporting event in the world and becoming a piece of this ongoing history can change someone. Being in a place like that with people like that at a time like that must be absolutely unbelievable. It would truly be a milestone in someone's life, a moment that is impossible to forget, and closure for whatever events may have happened in that strange place and strange circumstances.
I love the Olympics. I love what they can do to a person, a country, the world. I love what they represent, I love the passion they display, I love everything about them. I think everyone can learn something from these people--be it sportsmanship, dedication, passion, perseverance, professionalism, composure, mind power, etc. These people are truly role models and authentically outstanding men and women worthy of all the praise we have to give; I can't say I've met many people who I feel the same way about. So, to you Olympians, I respect you all so deeply that I have difficulty finding the words to express myself. You're amazing and you represent so much to all of us back home, so thank you for being such incredible people. We love you and we back you 100%.
Sincerely yours,
The A.S.S.
(And I would assign 12 Olympians to the 12 Olympian Gods, but the Olympics aren't over yet so that simply wouldn't be fair! =) But super kudos to all the medalists and to all who have done so well!)
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