I don’t know about you, but I got my first night of good sleep in two weeks. Why? Because I was up crazy late watching Olympic coverage.
I was there at 2am local when the US Women’s Volleyball won gold. I was up late, watching Ashleigh Johnson deflect, deviate, divert, and deflect balls during Women’s Water Polo. I was up late, wrote down, and co-opted Caeleb Dressel’s mantra, “Progress, not Perfection,” as he swam his way to gold after gold. (I, like Rowdy Gaines, nearly had a heart attack during the Medley Relay) My heart was pumping through my chest as I watched Alison Felix win her 11th medal.
Every two years (don’t forget the Winter Olympics) my wife and friends like to remind me how corny and Pollyanna I get when I’m up late cheering on whoever is wearing the Red, White, and Blue.
Introducing the latest #TokyoOlympics innovation: ROWDY CAM. @RowdyGaines pic.twitter.com/YRWRteEo0y
— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) August 2, 2021
I’m very much not a jingoistic fan of the United States, but every two years I can look at Team USA and see all of the best things about the United States. One of USA’s overarching ideals is this idea of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Team USA is a racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic mix of men, women, minorities, ridiculous rich and privileged, and ridiculously poor and struggling athletes.
Unlike most of the world’s countries, America is an idea. The reason why America works is despite what you are if you have the ridiculous belief that this place works, and if you’re given the space to do your thing, you can succeed.
It gives me pause because as we see on TV; for the most part, most countries are filled with people who mostly look the same. Others are known to be importing minorities for their events. (Everybody does it, even the US) I celebrate the fact that minority women wear the world’s gymnastics crowns (and nails), a black guy who’s a former welfare recipient is one of the world’s fastest, and women would be in the Top 5 of medal winners if they were their own country. I think this is great!
I admit to looking for the best in things, and I also admit to being Pollyanna from time-to-time. In our country, right now, we are witnessing numerous states trying to suppress minorities from voting, we’re seeing a proliferation of laws affecting women’s rights, and we’re still fighting for equality amongst the masses, I can only hope and wish people will recognize that we are strongest and our most innovative in our diversity, and shine when we allow everyone to compete.
