Let's talk Olympics!
To be honest, I didn't watch much of it. The games just always happened around work time (time difference between here and Paris, and all) but of course, there were moments that you'd have to be under a rock to not have heard about. I've jokingly written about the benefits of sports before but Olympics is all of that on steroids. There is something about the EXCELLENCE on display; the fortitude; the resilience that just have you plugged in, whether because you catch up on all the games or, like me, you read about them after. So, let's take a minute to talk about the Olympics, shall we?
NIGHT NIGHT!!!
I don't like sports. I can't say it enough. Actually, perhaps the more accurate thing to say is I don't enjoy sports not the way most people do. I should say, it's not for lack of trying. It just doesn't stick. This, of course, doesn't apply to Olympics though, and it certainly does not apply to gymnastics, track and field, and maybe even, some random stuff like long jump or something. Those are over almost immediately after they start. But soccer, football, basketball? Oh babes, I can't for the life of me muster enough attention to sit through those things. I don't have the patience or temperament to sit still enough for any of that. It was why even though I had heard of Stephen Curry's astonishing, unimaginable performance at the Olympics final, and even though I knew America won, and even though I watched the medal ceremony, and even though I happened to be there (enjoying Brooklyn Nine Nine) while my parents watched the rerun of the game, I knew I wasn't going to get a glimpse of the actual game. I wasn't interested. Or so I thought. It was minutes to the end of the game and the scores were tight and I heard my mom groan with the anxiety that America was losing. See, I didn't care because I knew they won, right? (reminds me of something my pastor once said about faith in God, when you know how the game ends, you watch with curiosity not anxiety). But then it happened. The svelte, almost casual way Stephen Curry scored points (whatever the terminology is y'all) and landed the ball in the net. The distance from which it happened. The skill with which he employed that act. It was diabolical, even to ME, a novice to basketball. I was glued immediately. I had never seen anything like that before. And something tells me even those who watch this every weekend have also never seen such a thing as this: that one person singlehandedly carries a team to a triumphant victory like so. And with that, the team got its first gold medal in 12 years. Unbelievable. I'm really glad that guy is a person of faith because (while I know he works INCREDIBLY hard), folks, no amount of hard work or tenacity could produce what I saw last night. THAT was, undoubtedly, a gift from God.
I have written at length about the U.S. Women's Soccer's team. And I think it bears repeating. As usual, I did not watch but their excellence reverberated across oceans, social media feeds, and television screens. All hail the Queens. Because they did it again—fifth time in a row. Gold.
BLACK GIRL MAGIC.When I saw this photo, I thought, let's forget about the relics of colonization, imperialism, and greed. Instead, let's all decide to tell the younger ones that THIS is royalty. Black Girl Magic has never been better personified.
I saw this video from seven years ago where an interviewer asks Sha'Carri Richardson, who was then in college, what she'd like to be when she grows up. And she gave one of the most profound answers I've heard in response to that question: "Yes, of course, I want to be an Olympian. I hope it's in God's plan. But if it's not, I want to be a computer hardware engineer." I have always thought this is a bedrock of faith in God; that you so desperately believe He can but if for some reason He chooses not to, it will be okay. "I hope it's in God's plan" is that so often forgotten part when we pray. The way she said it like if it wasn't God's plan for her to be an Olympian, she would still have been fine. That's how all dreams, goals, plans should be. Of course, you want it. But even if you don't get it, okay then on to the next. I'm so incredibly thrilled for Sha'Carri and all she got to achieve at the Olympics. I think about the way she was ridiculed just three years ago. Man, not knowing it was exactly God's plan for her to be celebrated like so. I think about Simon Biles too, who so wisely withdrew last Olympics to a whole lot of backlash, only for her to return to SHINE. And even though she was afraid (there is a clip of her, just as she was about to compete, muttering "you can do this" to herself repeatedly moments before flinging herself in the air and landing in the most regal way possible) she did it. Even though she was sooo anxious that she literally had to call her therapist (who was back in the States, so middle of the night her time) for a quick session. It's a reminder that even the greatest among us feel fear. So what if you are anxious? Or terrified? Do it anyway. Best of all? Also know when to retreat. Simone KNEW when to retreat, when to surrender. My people say in what roughly translates to, he who fights and retreats lives to fight another day. Simone lived not just to fight another day but to TRIUMPH another day.
"Immigrants! We get the job done."
I haven't felt as patriotic as I felt last night when U.S. cinched most of the medals. To be fair, I'm not your conventional patriotic person (I don't want to be associated with the kind of patriotism that practices inherent superiority to those who aren't white men. By the way, I hope these people also took note of how many immigrants shone in this Olympics). What I am, though, is someone grateful to call this country home. So here I was feeling very grateful to all those extremely amazing athletes (whether representing America or not) who showed us true sportsmanship. Who showed us that hard work, dedication, commitment always pay off.
Land of the free. Home of the brave.
Indeed.
And so it was that Olympics got me feeling so good.
So you know the next post is gonna be me full of anger. Hahah.
Love, and excellence,
I
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