Olympic Patriotism

Becca Polinsky

There are so many things that segregate us in this country – politics, religion, gender, ethnicity and wealth. Think about it; we are split up or divided into categories in nearly everything we do and support. Take sports, for example. Some of us support one football team in the National Football League, others support another, and some don’t support any at all.

But there is a unique instance – one that is special in its ability to overlook the ever-so-present forces of division within our country. Although the following may seem simple, perhaps the Olympic Games have more of a positive influence than we may know.

The ancient Olympic Games began their abiding legacy as religious and athletic festivals. They were held every four years at the sanctuary of Zeus in Olympia, Greece. Now, the Olympics are considered the world’s foremost sports competition: more than 200 nations participate.

This year in particular, during the Sochi Winter Olympics of 2014, I observed an exclusive sense of passionate nationalism. American citizens swarmed televisions to watch an American Olympian compete with a patriotic determination to succeed. There’s so much satisfaction in seeing the small American flag next to a medalist’s name or listening to the melodic sound of the name of our country.

Immediately after TJ Oshie’s remarkable performance against Russia, his achievement was trending on Twitter. His name was heard at every street corner, on every TV, on every form of social media. His name was everywhere in America.

As silly or absurd as it may seem, the Olympics, in a particular way, unite us. No politics, religion, gender, or economic ranking in society can stop an individual from loving the sight of American success, even in a country that is currently full of so much hatred and fear. In this way, the Olympic games should be treasured. An American medalist obtains a gold metal and the conservative is now physically and publically embracing the liberal. Every four years we embrace each other and regain sight of the beauty of this country.