The Way of the World
For some there is logic in the separation of church and state. In the vicarious excitement I experience when I watch the Olympics, the same logic follows: there should be a separation of politics and sports. I don’t care how these athletes vote (if they live in a place that has voting), who they sleep with, or the ideology of their home country. It is breathtaking and inspiring to watch athletes who have trained for years, sacrificed in all aspects of their lives, and reduced the measure of all their commitment to one competition and the acquisition of an Olympic medal. As with all things logical, there is a caveat.
I gasp when I witness the flight of skiers and snowboarders. I marvel at their lack of fear. When the skaters spin and leap and lift, I feel dizzy from their speed and height. I love the wild helmets, the beauty of the designer costumes, and the almost alien looking accouterments of the hockey players. Olympic competition represents a celebration of athleticism, work ethic, health, and the global community. Unfortunately at the end of the competition, there are other channels, other conduits. I see and vicariously experience the devastation of Syria, oppression and death in the Ukraine. Appreciation of stellar athletes becomes moot.
As the Olympics close, these thoughts plague me. The press covers the adoption of homeless dogs by an athlete while Syrian refugees starve and wonder where to go for safety. A Canadian journalist, as well as a competitor, complain about judging known to be subjective for years, while citizens in Kiev are judged and shot to death in the street. A team that has practiced with another for two years charges their coach with favoritism, conveniently not apparent until the pair gets into the national spotlight. A snowboarder nurses his failure to win a medal by touring with his band. In the aftermath of this great sporting event, what are we missing? So many questions arise. What will be left behind when all the athletes are gone? What social and environmental detritus will the Olympics of Sochi have generated? Considering all the money, energy, talent, and resources invested into the sports events, is the world a better place? Is there less domestic violence? Is there fresh water for all the people in Africa? Is the nuclear clock any less close to striking the time for Armageddon? The Olympics brings the world together in a microcosm of competition and comradeship on a stage in such isolation that it does little to bring the rest of us to a peaceful co-existence where all become good stewards of the earth and its people.
All complaints and hubris aside, it IS just a sporting event. And it IS time to move on.
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