Golden Reflections

This year’s Olympic Games were a spectacle like no other. Maybe it’s because we got to see the greats like Simone Biles, Noah Lyles, and Steph Curry compete. Maybe it’s because we lost this sense of spirit and community with the isolation of the 2020 games. Maybe it’s because there’s been so much international tension in recent years.

But ultimately, I think it’s because this year, more than any other year, we’ve seen the reality of being an Olympian. The coverage focused on the whole person as we learned the stories of these athletes — their struggles and successes. 

Throughout the games, one word remained top of mind: vulnerability. The word is summed up perfectly by a queen herself, Brene Brown, “Vulnerability is not weakness; it’s our most accurate measure of courage.”

Imagine the courage it takes to pour your everything — blood, sweat, tears, hours, days, weeks, months, years — into your craft. 

Imagine the courage it takes to represent your country on the biggest stage in the world — your every move being scrutinized by judges and everyday fans alike.

Imagine the courage it takes to overcome the financial, linguistic, and cultural barriers to host such an epic and broad reaching event, let alone participate in it.

Imagine the courage it takes to stand on a podium and let your emotions flood as your country’s anthem plays and the flag is raised.

Imagine the courage it takes to compete at the highest level — all while managing the highs and lows that come with living.

The athletes we watched compete over the last 16 days represented the most beautiful element of the human experience — vulnerability.

We watched while Simone Biles completed her comeback after her unprecedented display of vulnerability in Tokyo and brutal honesty about her struggles with mental health. Simone finished the games with 4 medals, 3 of which are Gold.

We also watched families console those who missed the podium by milliseconds. 

We watched as Quincy Hall found another gear and pushed himself for a come behind win. He was in fifth place and overtook the competition in the final 50m to win a Gold in the Men’s 400m. 

We also watched competitors face injuries that hindered or ended their olympic dreams. 

We watched the USA Women’s Basketball team win their eighth straight Gold, continuing to be “the dynasty of all dynasties” as Coach Staley called them. 

We also watched the heartbreak of those who didn’t meet the goals or objectives they set for themselves.

We watched Bobby Finke bring home a Gold and post a world record in the Men’s 1500m Freestyle, all while his family and Team USA teammates filled the arena with their cheers from the stands. 

We also watched host nation, France, miss a chance at overtime in the Gold Metal game by less than a foot. 

And of course we watched Snoop Dogg, Martha Stewart, Flavor Flav, and more notable figured serve as emotional (and financial) support icons and honorary members of Team USA.

There’s no other athletic event, or event period, that could ever compare to The Olympics because the vulnerability of humanity is on full display — physically, mentally, and emotionally.

With the vulnerability at the heart of this year’s games, we saw nations come together to support one another. Athletes kept sportsmanship at the forefront. Suni Le and Simone Biles bowing to Rebecca Andrade. Swiss pole vaulter Armand Duplantis breaking his own world record and having an interview bombed by hypeman Noah Lyles. South Korean and North Korean athletes posing for a podium selfie after the Table Tennis final. LeBron James dancing at the Beach Volleyball stadium cheering on Team USA during a rain delay. And many, many hugs. 

All symbolizing The Olympic values — excellence, friendship, and respect.

So as the games come to a close today, may we carry The Olympic spirit and values with us over the next four years and the duration of all our days. 

May we remember that life is a compilation of beautiful setbacks and triumphant comebacks best overcome together. 

May we have the humility and strength to display our vulnerability and lean on our team (and maybe even our competitors) no matter the circumstance.