In Part 1, I discussed ways that I thought the Rio Olympics shed a negative light upon the games and went against what I feel is the fundamental spirit of the Olympics. Now, in Part 2, I will strive to answer the question, “What exactly is the Olympic Spirit? What sets the Olympics apart from other international events?”
The Olympics are without a doubt one of the most widely broadcasted, covered and watched events in the world and have a special way of bringing people together. Athletes from all four corners of the world unite once every two years (alternating winter and summer) to bring the games to life, both in sport and in theatrics. Not only do the Olympics spark rivalries between competitors and their respective nations, but they also bring forth an incredible amount of national pride, a carnival atmosphere and the cheers of millions. They create a temporary pocket in space and time where nothing else seems to matter except the games.
Friendships of legendary proportions are born.
Teamwork brings entire nations to their feet in celebration of a first taste of victory.
Tenacity rewards those who persevere to the very end.
Even the best of the best can be unseated by an unexpected victor.
And no matter what flag you wear, sportmanship prevails when a competitor goes down.
The Olympics represent the best of what hard work, international collaboration and a passion for striving for the best that humans can achieve can create. Their spirit is something that is perhaps difficult to put into words, but can be felt in the energy of the crowd, in the pride of a nation brought to its feet and in the solidarity of those gathered together to celebrate sport. The Olympic Creed reads,
“The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.”
Perhaps it is in this creed, one that lies in the heart of every athlete, that we may find words to help sum up what exactly the Olympic Spirit is. It states that participating and taking part in the games are more important than winning and that, just like in life, individual victories are outshone by the obstacles that one has overcome to reach where they are. For many athletes, the road to the Olympics has been a long and treacherous one. It is in their struggle that they rise to the podium, lighting up the hearts of many nations along the way. This is what it means to be an Olympian and this is the heart of the Olympic Spirit.
