For the past few weeks I have taken it upon my duty as an American citizen to tune into NBC, cheering on the red, white and blue in various Olympic events. Somewhere between synchronized diving and the women's marathon I realized that most people probably aren't watching for the sports themselves. As much as you may argue, I don't believe that badminton is really all that intense of an athletic activity.
The Olympics represent so much more than athletic competition. Of course the athletes have worked hard training to compete in their various sports, and I can't help but be impressed by their demanding schedules and physical shape (I don't think there is a female in the United States who hasn't enjoyed watching men's swimming events, not to mention the ripped bodies that go with them). But to me, what the Olympics really come down to, what the athletes really represent, is pride.
So once every four years, the entire world puts aside its differences (well, most of the time) and comes together for friendly competition. Some of the events are a little bizarre. But the feeling those athletes get on top of the podium is the same - no matter whether it's for archery or water polo. An Olympic gold medal, one of the most coveted prizes in the world, represents the same hard work and strength for every country. And no matter what sport, if "The Star Spangled Banner" is playing at the end of the match it's hard for the Americans in the audience to keep from tearing up. The intensity that comes from representing an entire country is pretty overwhelming.
I admit, I never thought I would get all that into watching 16-year-old girls flipping around on a mat or a bunch of guys in Speedos doing the breaststroke. Not when I'm used to watching the usual ESPN coverage of football or basketball games.
Yet I found myself yelling at the judges that the Chinese gymnast with 50 barrettes in her hair was not 16. When Michael Phelps and the relay team managed to put the French in their place by fractions of a second, I actually leapt off my couch cheering with enthusiasm. Not because I have suddenly become a huge swimming fan, but because my country's team had come out on top, and I was proud of them.
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