Weekly Written Analysis I

This being the closing day of the 29th Olympiad I find it fitting to write my thoughts and reflections of this Olympics. My thoughts going into this Olympics were very pessimistic because of the negativity coming out of Beijing. There was the issue of the poor air quality and smog that caused China to take millions of cars off the roads prior to the Olympics in an attempt to reduce the smog. There was also the issue of China’s human rights policies and their attempts to control everything within their country. For me today, all of that is forgotten and only the memories from a memorable Olympics left behind.
I usually don’t pay much attention to the Olympics because they have truthfully had no appeal to me whatsoever but for some reason this year was different. It wasn’t just Michael Phelps quest for eight gold medals either it was more about nationalism than anything. With country our in dismay we needed something to bring us together I think the Olympics have had an impact.
I saw something this past weekend that absolutely astonished me. I would have never thought in a million years that I would see people at sports bar watching the Olympics, let alone cheering like it was the Super Bowl. The whole bar was glued to the TV’s cheering Phelps on to his record 8th gold medal. What I witnessed that night really gave me a better outlook on our values as a country. These athletes don’t have multi-million dollar contracts; they are out there to win for their country and show the rest of the world who we truly are.
It wasn’t just a stroll in the park either; it took four years of dedication and sweat. Many didn’t go home with anything but to make it there is an accomplishment in itself. I hope the 30th Olympiad brings me these memorable moments just as this past Olympics has.

References:

Beijing Olympics. Available http://www.granitegrok.com/pix/BeijingOlympics.jpg, August 24, 2008

Michael Phelps. Available http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2008-08/41641871.jpg, August 24, 2008