Some Olympic Thoughts

Now that the Olympics are over, I'm feeling decidedly idealist.

What a joy they can be. We remember, again, every two years, that even though governments do their worst and sour us against our neighbors, people are people. They're always happy to show you their culture, their heritage, their heart. They want to show the best of who they are. Sure, it's different, but isn't that okay? And in a lot of ways, aren't we alike as well? I was reminded watching the Chinese pop singers, that we're not that different even if our languages are literally worlds apart. (They like their pop stars pretty and thin too. What a concept!) We get a chance to see the beauty of a new place, the old and new of a country we may never see with our own eyes.

For two weeks the world is literally a smaller, more intimate place. If we did this more often than every two years - including Winter and Summer Games - it wouldn't have the same impact. For two weeks we can leave politics at home, and be proud of who we are and where we came from, and be proud of those who make it this far, even if they never win a medal. Remember that guy who could hardly swim four years ago, much less compete against the Michael Phelpses of the world? Remember how everybody cheered him on? Who cares where he was from? We could all get behind him. He'd struggled to get this far and he might never see another pool ever again, but we were there, rooting for him all the way. I think even Michael would cheer for him.

That's the beauty of the fact that this ideal has survived so many years, so much chaos and war and political struggle. We can root for each other, even for a short time. I love seeing athletes from different countries talking, joking around, kissing each other on the cheek, and taking pictures together, even dancing. They almost always congratulate the winners with respect and sometimes even affection. (A lot of that may have to do with the fact that some athletes train here in the States, regardless of who they compete for.)

I'm thrilled to see some Middle Eastern countries allowing women to compete. I love seeing what people are wearing during the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and their pride for their country. I even love it when the US doesn't win everything. That's perfectly okay with me, even though I'm inclined to root for the US athlete even without knowing anything about him or her. But I honestly don't care if we win the medal race. What's the big deal? It's all down to the individual. That's what's important.

Admittedly, having the Olympic spotlight on your country shows its worst as well. But for two whole weeks, we may compete as a country, but aren't you upset when someone falls or fails? Regardless of where they're from? (I remember wincing and yelping when a Chinese gymnast fell off the rings, and I was glad he got up okay.)

This may be the closest we ever come to world peace. But for at least two weeks, it feels like it's truly possible.