What’s Happening to the Olympics?

Can’t we just put aside our differences and unite for 2 weeks?

There’s something special about the Olympics…at least there was. Photo Courtesy of Eliyah Reygaerts on Unsplash

Blue, Black, Red, Yellow, Green. 5 colours of the utmost importance. The Olympics, and its 5 ringed symbol of significance.

A symbol of hope, a symbol of unity, a symbol of love.

Yet for all the talk about the Paris 2024 Games, an alternate message has dominated the spotlight. One of despair, division and anger.

Global citizens accepting a grim future. A major Middle Eastern conflict dominating the geopolitical landscape. A rise in hostility and anger.

The world may look grim, but the Olympics are meant to save us from these times of despair. I didn’t used to believe in that narrative, but the Tokyo Games convinced me otherwise.

The Tokyo Olympics were a bright spot during a pretty dark time. Photo Courtesy of US Diplomatic Security Service under PDM 1.0

Sure, they were a pretty ghostly spectacle. But as we slugged it out in our lonely homes and embarked on our day-to-day lives with annoying face masks whilst socially distancing, we found solace in the Olympics. We found energy in our national heroes as they ran, swam, jumped and climbed their way to glory.

There’s no doubting the Olympics’ have magic uniting powers. Time after time they deliver, like an EpiPen, giving us a shot of adrenaline when we need them most.

But I think those magic powers are starting to wear off.

Why is there so much crime and public hostility in Paris? Why are we as a society acting with so much discontent and hatred? Since when was hosting the Games such a torturous exercise?

Is this exclusive to Paris or part of a wider anti-Olympic trend?

Truth be told, I’m not sure what’s happening this time around.

Sh*t I’ll be real with you, I didn’t even know when the Olympics were starting.

Let’s not have a turn to another prolonged time of global war. Let’s use this Olympics as an avenue to spread peace and love. Photo Courtesy of Timon Studler on Unsplash

Trump-Harris, Ukraine-Russia, Palestine-Israel news has rightfully been dominating the media landscape. They’re major points of emphasis, and they’ll far outlive this Olympic cycle. But major events have never stolen the spotlight from the Olympics on this level before.

Honestly, even when I bat back political articles and embark on my own reading drive, I find little to no mention of the iconic games in the city of love. So, what’s happened to the ‘World’s Greatest Spectacle?’

Truthfully, I don’t know.

And as a lover of world sport, it’s sad to see.

But in case you need reminding; the Olympic Games are f***ing great…and they certainly don’t deserve to die in a whimper.

There are plenty of world-class athletes out there who’ve worked way too hard at their craft for years on end that deserve attention.

One of the modern-day greats is amongst us. Let’s not let her artistic brilliance go to waste. Photo Courtesy of Danilo Borges under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Some that I’m lucky to know, the majority not.

We all deserve a bit of brightening up in the increasingly dark and scary time that we find ourselves living in.

So get behind your screens and cheer on your heroes.

I promise you, it will be worth it.

Special mention to Teremoana Teremoana, Jemima Montag and Melissa Wu. Your incredible kindness, perseverance and dedication to your craft are exactly why you’re where you are…on the Olympic stage. It was beyond a pleasure to meet you, and I wish you all the best in your endeavours in Paris. Go show the world what you’re all about!

An incredibly driven, kind and inspiring mentor, Jemima Montag is one of the greatest human beings you’ll ever meet. Athletes like her, who personify the strength and courage of the Olympic spirit are why we watch the Olympics. Photo Courtesy of the Author.

Happy Olympic Watching y’all!