Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Why We Love The Olympics

While I was watching the United States battle Croatia in the quarterfinals of the men's water polo tournament, a thought came into my mind, "Why are people around the world so fond of the Olympics?"

Of course we enjoy watching the best in the world compete in sports that we see everyday on television, like tennis and basketball; but why do we drool and wait in anticipation over the results of the judo event or the archery competition? Why over a two and a half week period am I going on my phone every hour to see who won the most recent handball match? I began to think, "Would I ever dare skip out on going outside and enjoying the summer just to watch water polo if this were not the Olympics?" Nothing against water polo, and how much respect I have for the men and women who play that grueling sport, but the answer to that question is a definitive no!

Although it may seem that crazy fans like myself are the only ones that have this over the top obsession with the Olympics, the athletes who compete also feel an unparalleled passion for the games. In tennis, Andy Murray and Victoria Azarenka competed in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, which is something that the top players never do, even at majors. Rafael Nadal said missing out on the Olympics was one of the saddest moments of his career. LeBron James, who finished his NBA season in late June, refused to take a summer break after his long playoff run because he wanted to play for Team USA. Tons of athletes have shown their love of the games by getting the Olympic rings tattooed on their body such as swimmers Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte, and Matthew Grevers. What is it that makes the Olympics so different, so irresistible?

People love the Olympics because they do not occur every year. With anything in life, the less frequently something happens, the more interested people are going to be when something does happen. People are enamored by perfect games and no-hitters because they do not occur everyday; instead, they are truly rare feats. While an MLB player may have over 20 shots at a title, Olympians usually only have two or three chances at a gold medal. People are captivated by the aspect that Usain Bolt has one shot at the 100 meters, and if he comes up short, he will have to wait 4 years to get back on the globe's biggest stage. Unlike a player in the NFL or NBA, Bolt can't make a mistake and come back the next game, or the next season in hopes of a title. Olympians work tirelessly to get on top of the Olympic podium, but if they don't, it's a long four year journey to get another chance. Spectators and athletes love that intensity and that pressure.

Secondly, much like baseball stats, people love the sanctity of Olympic records. Not only are athletes competing against one another, but they are challenging sacred records that have stood for decades. David Rudisha of Kenya is trying to outlast his opponents in the 800 meters to claim gold, but he is also trying to make history and knock off Vebjorn Rodal's 16-year-old Olympic record in the event.

We also love the unique stories that the different competitors bring to the Olympics. Who will ever forget Oscar Pistorius's incredible journey just to get to the Olympics and his inspirational runs in the 400 meter qualification. Pistorius, who had to get both of his legs amputated when he was just 11 months old, had to endure a long struggle just to be able to compete in the 2012 Olympics, as many people felt that his prosthetic legs gave him an unfair advantage. However, Pistorius made it to London, and earned the respect and admiration of millions across the world. When Kirani James of Grenada, who would take gold in the 400 meters the next day, asked to exchanged name tags with Pistorius following their race in the semifinals, it was a scene that epitomized the uniqueness of the Olympics and was a special moment that only the Olympic spectacle could provide.

As fans, we always fall in love with the inspirational Olympic stories, but we also marvel over the Olympians who enter the games in relative obscurity and become a big name before the final flame is put out. Tiki Gelana, who was making her first ever major championship appearance in London, not only became the first women from Ethiopia to win Olympic gold since 1996, but she also broke the women's Olympic marathon record, which was set in 2000 by Naoko Takahashi of Japan. Although it was not quite the breakout on the level of Jeremy Lin, it was a classic example of an unknown Olympian coming into the global spotlight with a surprising victory.

The Olympics also provide so much drama because of all of the different nations that participate. There is nothing more intriguing than watching Iran and Israel, two nations that have so much hostility towards each other, enter the Olympic Parade of Nations almost one after another. All of the different nationalities and all of the different cultures together at the Olympics for a two and a half week period is a sight to see.

Finally, the most obvious reason we love the Olympics is because of the national pride. The Olympics means more about the country you represent than your individual achievements. Unlike Duke-North Carolina or Michigan-Ohio St., during the Olympics everybody comes together and shows their patriotism by cheering on the athletes from their country. People love to have a common rallying point and the Olympics provide that platform. There is no other sporting event where your entire nation is truly behind you quite like the Olympic Games.

A great example to show how captivated some people can get by the Olympics is to look at Samuel L. Jackson. Jackson, who rarely used twitter before the Olympics began, has taken over social media with his love and passion of the summer games. Jackson has twitted almost 250 times in the last 13 days and his commentary on the games has shown how enthusiastic people can get about the Olympics. I think I should investigate a new question: Who doesn't love the Olympics?

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