World Records broken. Olympic Records broken.
I love watching the Olympics. As a child, it was every four years, Winter games, then Summer games,on a regular schedule. Then the IOC decided to split the years so that every two years, we get to witness greatness. Be it Mark Spitz, Mary Lou Retton, Lindsay Vonn, Apolo Ohno, Bonnie Blair, or some of the 2016 greatness, Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky, and (my personal favorite), Michele Carter, when we sit on our comfortable couches, we witness greatness. Even though I only named Team USA members through the years, during every Olympic game, we also witness global greatness.
I have seen these games mature; I do remember when Cold War politics were played out in the Olympic arena. I do remember boycotts where now we deal with doping. I remember the 1972 Munich games, which was probably my introduction to global terrorism, so now, it does my heart good to see the sportsmanship exhibited and the friendships formed, even when in the pool or on the track, they are rivals for the win. This does my heart good, this gives me hope in our tense world.
The Olympic games bring out the greatness in each athlete who trains and puts everything into their competition. The games and the athletes are examples for us, as we sit in our air conditioning, adding our commentaries to those of Bob, Matt, and everyone else at NBC. As Christians, we are called to achieve our best in the name of Christ. We are called to be open to all people, globally. We are called to a greatness to love and welcome all, from East and West, from North and South because Christ teaches us to love all, for we are all God's creation. That is our goal of greatness.
Stay cool and be great!
Olivia
