Column: Back Seat Coach; Go team America, Winter Olympics serve good purpose
Every four years, the world can take a brief repose from the wars, arguments and petty differences and unite in the Olympic Games.
Seriously, the Olympics are a tremendous unifying force among the nations. Athletes across the globe unite in a central destination to compete in the games and to represent their countries. Tragedy strikes, heroes emerge and often, the underdog defeats their heavily favored opponents. The Olympic Games provide an opportunity for the world to watch talented athletes give everything they have.
At the Olympic Games, a variety of nations can support and even cheer for one another through their athletes. Issues that are heavily debated in councils and parliaments mean nothing during the Olympics. For a brief 16-day period, the world can watch people compete and celebrate in the accomplishments of humanity.
But more than this, the Olympics have a tremendous unifying effect within our own country. These games exemplify and typify fundamental American values such as patriotism, competition, athleticism and seeing the little guy come out on top. The American dream can be realized through the Olympics.
Other sporting events do not pull America together like the Olympics can. Basketball, football and baseball are all sports that Americans generally love. However, these sports do not tend to have any type of unifying effect. Sure we watch the Super Bowl, but we’re divided in it. We’re always rooting for one team or the other. In the Olympics, we can unite our cheers under one banner: team America.
Few sights are as stirring as seeing an exhausted, but proud athlete stand on the awards podium as they watch the American flag being raised. As the national anthem is played, one can’t help but feel proud to be an American. Although we might not fully understand the event the athlete competed in, we can be proud that they succeeded and that they represented our country well.
Some claim that the Winter Olympics are outdated or contain sports that the rest of the world might be good at, but not the United States. However, the events in the Winter Olympics are constantly changing to adapt to the latest winter sporting trends. The first Winter Olympics, held in France in 1924, included events such as ice hockey, speed skating, Nordic skiing, figure skating, curling and even military patrol. Today, the games have evolved to include new events such as snowboarding, the skeleton and even snowboard cross. This allows the Winter Olympics to be diverse enough to provide something for everyone to enjoy, even if we don’t always understand exactly what is going on.
Perhaps one of the most interesting facets of the Winter Olympics is the opportunity to see athletes compete in events that don’t get much coverage outside of the Olympics. Events such as the skeleton, luge and the moguls highlight the incredible athleticism of these competitors. The speed at which these athletes fly down tracks, mountainsides and across rinks is incredible. It requires a great deal of practice, concentration and risk, making these participants every bit of an athlete as a football player.
During the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy, the United States of America showcased an incredible amount of talent. Coming into the games with one of the largest contingents of athletes, 216 to be exact, the United States performed very well. They showed outstanding skill even when pitted against other European nations, well known for their prowess in winter sporting events.
The United States finished among the top five nations in the world, showing that the United States truly is a vibrant competitor. Finishing with 20-plus medals is no small accomplishment.
The athletes returning from Torino can come home with honor knowing that they represented America well. Even if they didn’t win the whole winter games, they gave everything they had, and showed that America is a force to be reckoned with.
Seth Hawkins is a sophomore majoring in public relations. Comments can be sent to sethhawkins@cc.usu.edu