At last, the 2020 Olympics are here!
The motto of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics is āUnited by Emotion.ā I’m not an athlete, but I do enjoy watching the Olympic Games. But in these pandemic times, I have mixed emotions about them. Most of the time, I feel fine and simply look forward to watching people from around the world showcase their superhuman strength and athletic prowess!
But sometimes I fear for the safety of the athletes and wonder why they didn’t cancel the Games. Other times, I’m disgusted when I’m reminded about the doping violations, sexual abuse allegations, and other scandals and wonder if I’m supporting all of it just by tuning in to watch. My emotions about the Olympics are a mixed bunch of awe, fear, excitement, and happiness.
Emotion: Awe
The first Olympic Games I watched on TV were the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. I was in awe of Team USAās athletes, like gymnasts, Mary Lou Retton and Mitch Gaylord; track and field athlete, Jackie Joyner, and diver, Greg Louganis!
Years later, in May 1996, I got to see the Olympics torch relay come through Davis, California en route to Atlanta, Georgia, the host city of the 1996 Olympics! I recall the torchbearer jogging by so quickly that I barely got a glimpse of the flame. Nevertheless, it was awesome to witness and share the excitement with the crowd.
Many years after that, in 2011, I was awestruck once again when I got to meet a former Olympian! My family and I went to the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco where 1992 Olympic figure skating champion, Kristi Yamaguchi greeted fans and signed copies of her childrenās book, āDream Big, Little Pig!ā Itās about a persistent little pig named Poppy who dreams of becoming āa spectacular ice-skating star.āāø
Emotion: Fear
We’re in the midst of a pandemic. Won’t the Olympics be a super-spreader event? They should have cancelled the Games this year.
Japan declared a state of emergency recently due to the surge in COVID-related infections. In response, organizers said that they wouldnāt allow any spectators, but later changed to say that they would limit spectators to only people in Japan. But, as of this writing, only 20% of people in Japan are fully vaccinated!
Due to world wars, the Olympics werenāt celebrated in 1916, 1940, and 1944. While the pandemic is not a war, it is a global crisis. So why not cancel the 2020 Games, too?
Emotion: Excitement
The Olympic events that I enjoy watching are gymnastics, swimming, and track & field. But Iād have to say that my absolute favorite Olympic event is not even athletic. Iām talking about the Parade of Nations during the Opening Ceremonies! (In my Pacific Time Zone, Iāll have to tune in at 4 oāclock in the morning on Friday, July 23, 2021 to watch it live!)
Whatās not to love about the Parade of Nations? I love the flags! I love watching the artistic program that showcases the host countryās cultural identity and history! I love hearing them announce the countriesā names in three languages: French, English, and the host countryās language.
Why French? French historian and educator, Pierre de Coubertin founded the International Olympic Committee in 1894, organized the first games of the modern era in 1896, and made French and English the official languages of the Olympics.
Emotion: Happiness
I look forward to the 2024 Olympics in Paris and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles ā two of my favorite places! š«š·šŗšø
āThe most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.ā
The Olympic Creed
What are your thoughts about the Olympics? Which Olympic events do you enjoy watching? Tell me in the comments below!
Bonjour: A Francophile Blog 
I was honestly very-surprised that the Olympic Committee went forward to have the games this year; I thought based on the cancellation last year, it would just be postponed indefinitely until at least the majority of the world gets vaccinated and contains the COVID-19 situation in the respective countries. I disagree with having the Olympic Games continue, especially in Japan where, as you said, only the minority are vaccinated. And I also don’t see the point of opening to no crowds/spectators, which create the Olympic atmosphere and experience. Alas, the games are going on now, so there’s no point to grumble, but we’ll have to see how this affects Japan and their potential COVID-19 outbreak afterwards…
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I agree with you and I truly hope the COVID numbers donāt spike after the Olympics. Besides, the numbers would probably be downplayed anyway! (For example, I heard that the āsmallā number of new cases after the Super Bowl were mainly attributed to after-parties and home gatherings. Unbelievable!)
On the other hand, I think itās good that the athletes/coaches finally get to have their Olympic moments since theyāve been working so hard for so many years. (Ugh, my mixed emotions!)
Itās interesting to see new Olympic competitions, like table tennis and skateboarding. And when they said handball was an event, I was imagining something like wall ball – that schoolyard game where you hit a ball and bounce it against the wall. I had no idea itās a cross between soccer/basketball! š
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