If you are like most Americans you probably don’t think much of the olympics. And given the decades of dominance at the olympics, the end of the Cold War, and elite domestic competition who could blame you? Americans unlike other countries, don’t seem to need the Olympics to show their dominance. Want to watch elite basketball? Watch the NBA. Like Tennis? Not even America’s best, Andy Roddick, will take the time to participate, in order to prepare for even the black sheep of tennis grand slams, the US Open. The rest of the Olympics seems to be comprised of meaningless events like ping-pong, synchronized swimming, and handball. Since the end of the Cold War, the Olympics were simply meaningless expression, with the exception that it was the best possible time to note that the country of Hungary does in fact rhyme with the word hungry, and for two weeks it was acceptable to make jokes noting that relationship.
Yet this American finds that the Olympics are possibly one of the most important sporting events. It is an event that Americans should not sleep on. First, it is a geography test. Ask the average American, and they could probably not tell you where Swaziland is, let alone Iraq. Americans may have slept through their 7th grade geography class, but to watch the Olympics, it is almost necessary to know something about these countries.
Second, it is a reality check. America is a great country for many reasons, but seems to be a country that has needed a good kick in the balls. Exhitibit 1, Americas mens basketball team’s failure to win Gold in any world competition since 2000. Some would accept that there are other talented basketball teams in the world, and that we have to now earn the Gold with the new competition. Yet American’s still feel entitled in this sport, so much that the current men’s basketball team has been called the the Redeem Team, as if they’ve already redeemed themseves.
The Olympics though could be so much more. First, the Olympics is the one event where all nations get together and resolve their squabbles over kids games. Imagine if Russia and Georgia’s recent squabble could be decided over an equestrian contest or a marathon race. Israel and Palestine could resolve their territorial dispute. To the winner goes the spoils and maybe a medal…
Second, we could have games of intelligence. How about a math contest? How about a chess match? These events would not have to be policed by the World Anti-Doping Agency, and like other sports would give countries a good metric by which to compare. Instead of handing your kid a basketball when he grows up, why don’t you hand him a protractor and a pocket protector. When your kid is holding a six-figure salary and a Gold medal, he’ll thank you.
