We Need the Olympics Right Now

On Friday afternoon, my daughters and I raced into the living room and curled up on the couch as giggles escaped our lips with excitement for the 2024 Olympic Opening Ceremony. 

My girls and I eagerly awaited the start of the Parade of Nations on the River Seine. Without fail, the moment the athletes from the first country, Greece, began waving their flag, I felt tears spring into my eyes. This happens every time. The Olympics always have the immense power to remind me of the beauty of humanity. Watching every athlete from every nation in every color wave with the utmost excitement and pride for not only their country, but for every moment of blood, sweat, and tears that have brought them to that moment stirs something deep within me. Perhaps it’s because I am an athlete myself and my career dreams of professional tennis escaped me during my teenage years. Perhaps it is because I have so desperately wanted a moment just like the one I am witnessing — one that confirms every emotional breakdown along with every hard-fought moment was worth it. Or, perhaps it is simply because the beauty of humanity always reminds me that we are all so extraordinary.

The Olympics are a reminder that sports are the same in every language, and it is a language we all speak with fervor and felicity. The Olympics are a reminder that we are so much more alike than we are different, and that we are magical in all of the good that we do. The Olympics are a reminder that there is more than one way to pursue good, and sports can be one of those ways. Training your body to perform at the highest, elite, and most professional level to represent your country can be a form of activism. Not only are these athletes sacrificing their bodies to represent their country in the only event that brings the world’s nations together, but their performances afford us the opportunities to invest enthusiasm for nations that we may have otherwise not known about. Celebrating the undeniable talent, stunning culture, and tenacious grit of athletes from around the world forces us to get our heads out of our bubbles and see the beauty in the world around us. Nations coming together under the common goal of sheer love for their sport and country is activism. 

I came across a post on Instagram that critiqued the hoopla surrounding the Olympics as there are still multiple devastating genocides and other humanitarian crises across the globe. And, while I understand the sentiment, I don’t agree with this critique. We have become a society of people who base our existence on finding a problem amidst the good. We have become obsessed with critique for critique’s sake. We have become afraid of joy — as if to experience joy when others are suffering automatically means that we are evil. I understand the tension of seeking joy when we are watching others mercilessly lose their lives on our screens. Unfair isn’t a strong enough word to express the lament and guilt I feel when I am reminded that I am safe, can drink a warm cup of coffee, and can head to the tennis court any time I want to. There is tension there. However, if we were to withhold living and pursuing joy every time there was immense suffering in the world, we would never experience joy again. And, I strongly believe that joy is our birthright. 

You never know when suffering will come knocking at your door. You never know when your world will be turned upside down, met with grief, illness, injury, depression, or anxiety. You never know when tragedy may strike. You never know when a phone call could change your life forever. You never know when you may find yourself wishing for the moments back that you are living right now, and wishing that you had leaned into that joy just a bit more.

For many of us, including the athletes themselves, something as simple yet equally grand as the Olympics is a source of joy. And that is okay. We do not need to apologize for coming together with our fellow humans to unite in our shared love of sport once every four years, especially since there is so much plight at present. Our hearts are already at the brink of combustion as we bear witness to an unprecedented amount of lost lives across the globe and in our local communities. Our souls are already laden as our fear keeps us awake at night thinking about what beholds the future of our society. We have already witnessed more suffering than one should ever witness for a lifetime. And, no, it does not compare to the suffering of being amidst an actual genocide, but just as I stated in an article I wrote months ago, if the tables were turned, I would hope that those across the globe would continue to pursue joy while they advocated for our liberation. If they didn’t do both, they wouldn’t have any energy to fight for us. 

I understand that there is criticism toward the Olympics other than the fact that it’s taking place while multiple genocides and other atrocities are occurring around the world. I know many are furious that colonizer countries are allowed to compete at all — especially those responsible for genocide. The hypocrisy between the banning of Russia and Belarus from competing under their flag, yet, Israel being allowed to compete under their flag is not lost on me. I have never been well-versed in the rules of the IOC and what constitutes a ban versus what does not, but I know this is not the first time the Olympics have made controversial decisions that many do not agree with. Yes, there are problematic, colonialist agendas within the Olympics just as there are with nearly everything in society. And, yes, you are reading the words of someone who is critical of those agendas and how they have harmed us all. However, I am not someone who believes that it is realistic to overthrow everything in our society because of the many ways problematic agendas exist. I am logical in my thinking and approach toward liberation. I also believe in focusing on much of the good that comes from our world. 

For example, the beauty industry is built on anti-Black racism and I believe in fighting for liberation from its problematic standards. However, liberation doesn’t have to require never wearing mascara or concealer again. I am also not going to stop trying to help my body be at its strongest and healthiest just because our idea of the perfect body is rooted in white supremacy. My approach is to help us all rewire our mindsets against what we have been taught about our bodies and slowly rebuild this industry with new intentions. I know this is a cliche example, but I believe it can be applied in every facet of society. In our anger, we want to be quick to riot, overthrow, boycott to the extreme, and shame those who do not hold our sentiments. And, while there are plenty of times when extreme measures of protest are absolutely necessary, it is not the only way to be an activist.

In the case of the Olympics, I believe there is so much more good happening than bad. And, there are still many ways to be an activist and protest while enjoying this pastime. When I saw the Palestinian, Sudanese, and Congolese athletes during the Parade of Nations, more emotion sprang to my eyes. Their smiles of joy and relief as I’m sure they reflected on the pain they had to bear just to get to that moment were not lost on me. It is devastating to think about the eight Palestinian athletes who are left to compete after the other 345 of them were murdered by Israel. Activism is cheering hard for their victories. Activism is making an effort to watch those specific athletes so that they get the airtime, ratings, and attention they deserve. Activism is also diving into self-education about various countries, cultures, and ethnicities you’ve never batted an eye at before. Activism is refusing to cheer for nations that are committing genocide and withholding human rights in any capacity. Activism is demanding the IOC update its policies for future Olympics so that no nation that is responsible for a current genocide can compete. Activism is learning about individual athletes’ stories of tribulation and triumph during their journey to the Olympics.

And, activism is joy. So much joy. We mustn’t let go of joy. We mustn’t apologize for joy. We not only deserve joy, but it will always be our birthright. 

Here’s to allowing the Olympics to be a source of respite, joy, activism, and liberation for the next few weeks. If you needed permission to do so, I hope this essay grants it for you.