I’ve always loved the Olympics, but none more than this one in Rio. First, cheers to the Brazilians who’ve pulled off an event that sounded iffy at best until the last moment. Remember the portents of polluted water, unfinished housing
I’ve always loved the Olympics, but none more than this one in Rio. First, cheers to the Brazilians who’ve pulled off an event that sounded iffy at best until the last moment. Remember the portents of polluted water, unfinished housing and out-of-control Zika virus? Then the country’s president gets ousted right before the Olympics — what shambles!
Though Brazil is not a major power and has limited funding, somehow through a miracle of organization, will and sheer effort, they delivered a spectacular opening night ceremony. The joyous parade of athletes, many in their national dress, evokes a sense of world patriotism and ecumenical pride.
Ah, what a setting! Those shots of Copacabana Beach and Sugarloaf Mountain every night rivaled even our own beautiful island. What we didn’t see: the prodigious task of housing, feeding, transporting and providing security for the many thousands of athletes and their supporters, which must have been a monumental task, yet it was accomplished quietly and without major incident.
Despite the challenges, Brazil is capable of greatness. As for the games themselves, of course it was gratifying to see our own athletes win a preponderance of medals. But equally impressive was the consideration and respect shown for all; the fair play, the strong character demonstrated in victory or defeat by most of the athletes. Knowing how these people have dedicated a good part of their lives for those few moments, the emotion can be overwhelming. Sportsmanship defines character.
Consider the diversity of the U.S. athletes. A mix of men and women and people of all colors and ethnicities. Americans all and proud of it. My father used to refer back to 1936 and talk about Jesse Owens and Babe Zaharias, not because of their talents but because of their singularity: a black man. A woman. How far we’ve come. On the stage of the Olympics, perhaps this demonstration of unity and strength through diversity can be a lesson to all ethnocentric nations.
The next lesson, I must admit, involves a bit of prejudice. Having grown up in the 1950s, I thought athletics were just for boys, not girlie-girls like me. “Runs like a girl,” “Throws like a girl,” were common expressions and I simply assumed it was because of our fundamental differences. Enter the female athletes of today: heaving the shot put, hurtling over the pole vault, flying down the track. I’ve been absolutely thrilled watching the fierce competitiveness of these women, of whom many are beautiful girlie-girls with their sculpted nails and fancy hair. When it gets to the medal count, most have been won by women. Who would have believed this in my father’s day?
Writing this on Saturday, Aug. 20, I’m saddened to realize the Olympics are almost over and it will be four more years before we see another. One last lesson worth mentioning — judging by the arena of the 2016 Summer Olympics, who can doubt the greatness of America?
Louise Birket is a resident of Captain Cook
