Do We Still Care About the Olympics?

My viewpoint on how much we still actually like the Olympics.

Every four years when the Olympics roll around, I cannot help but be incredibly excited. For two weeks we get to witness the greatest athletes in the world compete on the highest stage. Athletes as young as 13 are competing for their countries; when I was 13 I thought I was good playing rec-sports.

My excitement, it seems, is not shared with the people around me. Whenever I mention the Olympics their responses are along the lines of “It’s really not that big of a deal,” or “Eh.” More frequently than not, the response is the second one.

I cannot fathom the utter apathy for cheering on our country in some very unique sporting events. It seems as if the Olympics are just a passing fad; people are more caught up with political controversies than watching an American play some good-old table tennis.

The fact that all of the competing countries can set aside their differences for two weeks to show their hard work and dedication to their country, is what is so special about the Olympics in my eye. Sure, of course we are dealing with ongoing crises with Middle-Eastern countries, but the Olympics is a rare meeting of these nations to settle other problems.

The world is in desperate need of relief from pain and violence. The Olympics serves almost as a mental blanket of these issues; our minds are focussed more on perseverance and victory rather than our grave problems overseas.

I truly hope that the lack of interest in the Olympics subsides in the upcoming years. It is my hope that we see that the Olympics provides us with a break from the fast moving world around us.

As old problems are resolved and new problems emerge, every four years there will always be a small glimmer of hope for the world as we know it.