Ever since President Obama announced he would travel to Copenhagen to take part in a 45-minute presentation in an effort to help the city of Chicago in its bid to host the 2016 Olympic games, critics began to weigh in on his decision to make the one-day trip.
Some have argued that Obama’s plate is too full at the moment to take time away from the White House considering the myriad of issues facing the nation.
While that fact may be a topic of legitimate debate, there were those who stated they were hoping the city of Chicago failed in its efforts to host the 2016 games.
It all became clear at that point, a moment of clarity where I recognized what the arguments were about, or perhaps better stated, what they should have been about.
In all the finger-pointing that has taken place during the last two days, of all the discussions focusing on Obama, the city of Chicago, the massive amounts of money involved and even the Olympics themselves, not one person has mentioned the most important element of the subject.
America’s athletes. For that matter, every athlete representing all of the nation’s on this planet.
The Olympics aren’t about Obama, Chicago or the money.
Unless something got lost in translation, I was under the impression that the Olympic games were supposed to be about the athletes, the spirit of competition, sportsmanship and humanity.
While politics are sure to be injected into every decision Obama makes, this is one subject where politics has no place. In fact, if ever there was a place politics should be banned, it’s the Olympic games.
America’s future Olympians will spend years dedicating themselves for an opportunity to represent America on our soil, and any effort to further that cause should be applauded.
Apparently those who oppose Obama’s efforts believe our athletes would prefer to stand atop the podium as a Gold Medal winner in a foreign nation.
Sports eliminates polarizations; it unifies us in a way that politics can never do. Where else can a Democrat and Republican sit side by side and cheer in unison for our team other than at a sporting event?
In the case of the Olympics, the ability to cast aside political affiliations becomes magnified as Americans cheer for the athletes that represent all of us.
As the American 4×100 meter relay team roars down the track on their way to a Gold Medal, I doubt any of the sprinters are thinking about the economy, healthcare, Obama or anything else.
The only thing our athletes are thinking about is winning. Winning after a long, arduous journey of countless hours training for that one moment where they can be awarded a Gold Medal and listen to our national anthem being played in recognition of their excellence.
And if anyone has a problem with American athletes experiencing that in Chicago, USA, then I say go fornicate yourself.
It’s about the athletes stupid and nothing else.
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