Every four years, the global sports community pauses (well, almost) to focus on a city and country hosting the Summer Olympic Games. This year, Paris, France, takes center stage.
The Olympics create a unique sense of unity. Despite the competitive spirit among nations, the shared experience of living in the Olympic Village for over two weeks bonds athletes. As an athlete, I can attest to feeling like my team is family. My teammates are like brothers, and my coaches, surrogate parents. We all share the same goal: to win.
Competition can bring out both the best and worst in people. Some athletes handle loss poorly, while others don’t win gracefully. Emotions can flare, leading to scuffles and even fights. It’s unfortunate when athletes resort to violence, except in sports like boxing, wrestling, and hockey, where it’s part of the game. But it happens.
Despite the competitive nature of the games, I believe in an unwritten rule of mutual respect among opponents. Even close friends set aside their camaraderie when competing. This respect, stemming from the shared understanding of the dedication, hard work, and preparation required to compete at this level, fosters unity.
Unity, at its core, means ‘one.’ The Olympics bring together people of various ethnicities, faiths, sports, and languages to compete for medals. Most athletes will leave Paris without a medal, but the experience is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to engage in a sport they love. For those who do win, the chance to become national heroes is unforgettable.
For a few weeks, perhaps, countries can experience the same unity athletes feel on and off the field during the prestigious Summer Olympic Games.