It is oppressively hot in most of the U.S. and certainly here in Louisiana.  We are also in the midst of an acrimonious presidential race, now exacerbated by the assassination attempt of Pres. Trump (which I will address next week).  And then, like a cool breeze on a hot summer day, the 2024 Paris Olympics, slated to run from Jul 26-Aug 11, arrive.

I watched several parts of the Olympic trials and marveled at how hard each athlete competed to make the national team.  You could see the utter elation in the eyes and smiles of those who made it and the abject sadness in those who did not.

Begun in Greece over 2000 years ago as a hoped-for substitute for the continual warfare between the Greek city states, the Olympics are an interesting global phenomenon.  The organization succinctly proclaims that “the Olympic Games are the world’s only truly global, multi-sport … athletics competition. With more than 200 countries participating in over 400 events across the Summer and Winter Games, the Olympics are where the world comes to compete, feel inspired, and be together.”  This, of course, prominently includes the Paralympic Games which “provide a platform for Para athletes with a diverse range of impairments to showcase their outstanding abilities to millions of spectators and billions of TV viewers.”

The head of the Paris 2024 organizing committee, Tony Estanguet, described what the event would look like: “The entire city of Paris has been turned into a vast Olympic stadium.  The Seine represents the track, and the quays the spectators’ stands.”  (Time Magazine, 2024)

The opening of the games is, itself, fabulous.  Various news sources have noted that “the opening ceremony will take place along the Seine River in the heart of Paris.  It will mark the first time in the history of the Summer Games that the ceremony will not be held inside a stadium.”

I have always loved the Olympics, and for several distinct reasons. Firstly, in my youth I was a competitive swimmer for a number of years and when I watch the young American swimmers at the Olympics, I am warmly and fondly reminded of those grueling but memorable days.

I am also always moved when one of our Olympians finishes a race or competition, is struggling to catch their breath, has a microphone shoved in their face and gushes “I am so proud to represent my country!”  I think it touches most of us.

I am also captivated by the distance runners at 5-, 10-and 15,000-meter distances.  I still marvel at the heptathlon, and at how much raw natural talent is necessary to be able to compete at the Olympic level in multiple—and completely different—sports.  Talk about cross training!  The gymnasts also amaze me with their ability to do multiple somersaults during the floor exercise and then fly HIGH into the air and stop just short of stepping out of bounds!  Or on that balance beam, when they somehow do a flip and land on that seemingly very small beam, not breaking their necks!   And I find it riveting to watch the men’s 100 meter final and see those ten men load themselves into their blocks to determine the fastest man in the world.

I also love the 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 track relays.  To watch each competing nation not only have to run as fast as they possibly can but also be sure the baton is not dropped during the precarious, high-speed exchanges between runners.

I am always inspired by the level of commitment and preparation demanded from these athletes over many years for the mere chance of making the team.  I fervently hope for—and often shout out loud for—the American athlete attempting to win the gold medal.  I think these are some of the most uniquely American emotions we feel.

As Jefferson recognized in the Declaration of Independence, America takes its place in the world based upon “the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and Nature’s God entitle it” and we do so proudly because we are Americans first, last, and always.

As President Reagan said, ‘the Olympics provide the ultimate experience in watching athletes strive through honest effort, fair play, discipline, and determination to reach the top … It’s the personal striving, the ability to achieve the fullest measure of human potential that counts most.”

Amen.

Let’s go America! USA!  USA! USA!