i think it's brave: a continuation on awe
i love the olympics
If you recently subscribed for my corporate office outfit diaries, do not despair, those will still come on Fridays. However, this Substack was originally for my personal essays on bravery, and will always be the home to what I am inspired to write. This week, my ever-present goosebumps led me to write about the Olympics. A true depiction of bravery and awe, it is one of the best parts of this summer.
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about awe. I wrote about all of the different manifestations of awe, the small ways you can recognize magic around you. But the past few weeks, one of the most awe-inspiring events in the world has been on all of our television screens. No I’m not walking about Love Island USA ;) I’m talking about the Olympics!!!
It’s funny,
commented the below on a note I posted the other day, raving about the USA Men’s Gymnastics team:An Odyssey wrapped up in 2 weeks. I love this so much. The Odyssey we are all familiar with, the one by Homer, is an epic of many many parts. It takes place over years, and there are sub plots and side tracks and it takes a long time for our main character to get to where he is going. And sure, when you think about the fact that Olympic athletes have been dedicating the leading 4 years, as well as their entire lives, to one event - it could equate to Homer’s story in that sense. But for those of us watching, we get to enjoy the culmination of that work over the course of a few weeks, and it is quite amazing.
Every time I watch the Olympics, I get goosebumps. Researcher Dacher Keltner says that is really the main physical manifestation of awe, and I believe it. It’s easy to forget sometimes how difficult the feats on our television are, how fast the athletes are going, or how technical and precise they must be to achieve their desired outcome, because they are alongside other athletes who are on their level, doing the same. Everyone is going that fast, everyone is that strong, everyone is that determined. The differences between the gold, silver and bronze medalists are miniscule, which is why they play the game.
The Olympics is a showcase for athletes who, throughout the year, do not enjoy the same recognition as NFL or NBA players. Who aren’t in the daily discourse, whose events aren’t streamed live for millions to watch. They fly under the radar, chasing glory within their niche. I mean think about all of the sports in the Olympics that you hadn’t even realized were professional sports: pistol shooting, trampolining, break dancing, archery, canoeing. So many of these sports are not ones we really ever watch, which is sad when you think about it. In the Netflix series SPRINT, Noah Lyles (who has become a household name this Olympics) talks about how he could be the fastest man in the sport and still, no one will know his name. Frederick Richard said the same about being the best male gymnast. The stage that is set for these technical athletes is what makes the Olympics so special. It’s much easier to dedicate your life to a sport that is acknowledged globally via primetime television spots, paid partnerships and fandoms. These lesser known athletes need to compete for something else, something that comes from within.
This year, the media cycle and social media has widened this stage for these athletes, thus broadening our chance to get to know some of them on a more personal level. The men’s USA gymnastics team exploded onto the scene with their bronze medal win, but Stephen Nedoroscik really took it to a new level. His stoicism on the sidelines, his Clark Kent glasses, his squinting at the pommel horse. People were eating it up, and so we began to learn more about his Rubik’s cube skills, his electrical engineering background and his special shoutout to his grandpa every routine. I, along with a lot of people, am obsessed with this man.
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Other things that have given me sprawling goosebumps up and down my entire body?
Quan Hongchan, the Chinese synchronized diver who was discovered at age 7 playing hopscotch?
Kristen Faulkner not having started cycling until 2017 and then winning GOLD
Henrik Christiansen’s obsession with the chocolate muffins makes me laugh so hard
The entire story of Flava Flav sponsoring the US Women’s Water Polo team
When the USWNT connects for a goal, it’s magic
Simone Biles’ toe strength
Torri Huske inviting Gretchen Walsh onto the podium during the National Anthem
Also Torri being like all of us, just excited to go see TaySwift live
Watching any of the siblings/family/partners/friends reactions. These are the people who know the years of effort that go into that one day. Their reactions are pure love. Really, they are pure awe.
Keely Hodgkinson running an 800m in 1:56 and not even looking tired
Scottie Scheffler having the most insane 2024 ever
Mondo Duplantis, the Swedish pole vaulter, doing literally anything. Imagine being over 20.6 feet in the air like that, my GOD
also this:
and this:
It is a miracle to see how much talent is in this world. It is an inspiration to see the commitment of these men and women on display. It is a testament to the strength of the human body and mind. This year has also been a great display of boundaries and mental strength, and many commercials have focused on sportsmanship and teamwork. All of these are great lessons for viewers young and old to learn as we go through life.
The Olympics are a really great reminder of all of the good in this world, especially during a time when things can feel heavy. Focusing on representing your country, your home, your race, your gender, your family, and yourself - there is so much impact you can have without even realizing it. And the bravery it takes, to step into that spotlight, to compete on the highest level in front of millions, to be vulnerable to losing on the world’s stage, is unmatched. To even have gotten there is an achievement that many of us will never know, it is a privilege that we even get to watch.
What awe-inspiring moments did I miss? Do you find yourself locked in to the Olympics, or not so much? Hopefully you are inspired either way, as inspiration is one of the best motivators!!! Be brave out there kids.
xo
meigs
Am I getting teary reading your bullet points? Why yes. Full body chills and tears in my eyes. Oh Olympics, how I love thee.
ALL OF THIS! Every year I complain that the Olympics become increasingly commercialized and “not the same”, and that may be for the entity, but it’s the athletes that take my breath away every year. I AM IN AWE! And so are the famously cynical Parisians!