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Why the Olympics Matter

[To me.]

By Rachel Tobias

August 7^th, 2016

The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part;
The essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well.

- Pierre de Coubertin

I find the world to be most human at the Olympic Games.

The world, it feels to me, has devolved into a state of sub-humanity. I’m certain I’m not alone in feeling emotionally exhausted from the constant unveiling of the latest tragedy. Fear, anger, and mistrust have ensnared the hearts and minds of so many that we love and want to love, and it’s painful to see the gaps between us widening.

I am fortunate in so many ways to be in Rio de Janeiro for this XXXI Olympiad. But in particular, it feels like a moment recalibrate. To recapture my optimism about humanity and faith in our ability to be better than we are right now.

I was nine years old when I first experienced the magic of the Olympics. Four Olympic Games later, I had mastered the art of negotiation through the unofficial Olympic sport of pin trading, deepened my love for sport, shaken hands with my personal heroes, and witnessed what I can honestly only describe as real magic. What is left nearly twenty years later looks from afar like an unlikely, niche obsession; perhaps. However, the reason for this obsession comes as much from a place of reason as it does from emotion. The Olympics taught me so much of what I know about humanity, and just how much we are capable of physically and emotionally. In many ways, I think the Olympics taught me how to be a good human.

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Athletes of past and present taught me what it means to demonstrate leadership through teamwork, and the importance and value of good sportsmanship.

I learned about humility, and found admiration for those who remained humble and gracious not only when they won, but also when they lost.

I don’t know if there is another moment in time where mutual tolerance, respect and openness is so pervasive. “In this Olympic world, we are all equal,” Thomas Bach said in his speech last night. That’s the world I have always wanted to be part of.

I can’t say that I’ll ever match the level of perseverance, grit and work ethic that it takes to become an Olympic athlete. And while it may not be sport, I saw at a young age that I wanted to emulate as best I could that dedication and that spirit in whatever I chose to do.

I learned how important it is to treasure the people who love and support you, and that you are nothing without those who lift you to reach your dreams, and are there to catch you when you fall.

I learned how valuable it is to lead with optimism and idealism, rather than fear and cynicism. We all have our moments of darkness, but if we want to achieve the impossible, the only way to do it is to believe that it’s possible.

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Faster. Higher. Stronger.
Better.

The human capacity for strength, for achievement, for love, doesn’t have limits. The fear and the anger that is driving so much of the pain and divisiveness in the world right now is a derailment. Olympic athletes commit every minute, every ounce of energy, every penny they have to run faster, to jump higher, to grow stronger. Those who succeed learn how to avoid the temptations and weaknesses that will take them off course. We have to be more like them: we have to train harder and push harder to be better humans; the only fight we have is against ourselves.

I believe in the Olympic Movement as a force for good. I believe it has the unique ability to bring the world together around joy and celebration in a way that nothing else can. I believe the Olympics can, through the design of a new and adaptive approach, drive positive social and economic change. I believe, to my core, that the Olympics can make the world a better place.