I watched a number of televised contests at the recent Olympic Games. The United States did very well, winning the most medals of any nation. The U. S. and China tied for the most Gold Medals. But I watched contests between many different nations, not just our own. The commitment of any and all of the athletes is simply amazing. One female sprinter commented that one spends a lifetime preparing for ten seconds.
Some athletes are sponsored. Some are even millionaires, such as the USA men’s basketball team. Other Olympians hold either full-time or part-time jobs while they train. Some will find their financial futures secured by winning the gold. Others will go back home and hope they can make their nation’s next Olympic team. A few will experience the “thrill of victory” while many more will suffer the “agony of defeat.” Yet, all of them now belong to a tiny minority — they are Olympic athletes.
Because I cannot watch TV 24/7, I tuned in when I could. I watched events that I might not think about otherwise. I watched archery, ping pong, badminton, climbing, and even break dancing. I watched women’s rugby, convincing me that I did not ever want to get on the field with these athletes — it’s a terribly rough sport.
Basketball, volleyball, swimming, wrestling, track and field – both men’s and women’s events – all were exciting. I got in as much as I could given the time constraints and enjoyed the competitions. If the USA was not in a particular contest, I would pick a country and cheered them on.
One special moment stood out to me. The Associated Press recorded, “Standing on the medal stand with her third gold medal draped around her neck, Brittney Griner looked at the U.S. flag with tears streaming down her cheeks during the national anthem.
“She didn’t wipe them away until after the anthem ended, never trying to hide how she feels representing her country 612 days after the U.S. got the American star home after 10 months in a Russian prison. Not with all that this moment meant.”
Perhaps I missed it, but I didn’t see or read about any U.S. athletes taking the knee during the playing of the national anthem. Good for you. I realize that some folks were upset with parts of the opening of the Paris games, but I didn’t pay much attention to that. I don’t have to agree with everything others do or think to appreciate athletic excellence.
To all the athletes of all the nations: “Well done!” You represented your nation well and, for a short while at least, you allowed us to focus on something besides war, politics, conflict, and suffering. You proved, at least on a micro-level, that when people are determined to do so, we can meet with others who hold diverse views, come from many different backgrounds and cultures, gather together on level playing fields, compete fiercely and with passion, and can still have respect for each other when the contest is over. For that, I say, “Thank you.”
[David Epps is the Rector of the Cathedral of Christ the King (www.ctk.life). Worship services are on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. and on livestream at www.ctk.life. He is the bishop of the Diocese of the Mid-South (www.midsouthdiocese.life). He has been a weekly opinion columnist for The Citizen for over 27 years. He may be contacted at davidepps@ctk.life.]
