Aka 7 Things About the Olympics
1. Let's get some disclaimers out of the way. Borders are arbitrary. Gender is not binary. The Olympics are very arbitrary about what counts as actually breaking the rules vs not. The countries that are allowed vs. banned is not consistent. But I enjoy some of the pretense that the Olympics claim to be, and hope they will be someday. Basically they are imperfect, and yes, very little is perfect, but also they need to change more and faster than they have been.
2. Opening ceremonies are delightfully weird in that way that seems so cringe when it's your country until someone else makes fun of it, and you are like actually that cultural dance is wonderful, and the dancing statues had a context, thank you very much. The only thing more delightfully weird than an opening ceremony, is a closing.
2. I personally am a little bit sore from waking in snow. (Okay it was snow-crete.) So the incredible work and dedication to race down a mountain, or across one, or around a rink, and maybe to toss in a flip is amazing.
3. People like to pretend sports are a break, a respite from reality. But even if sports didn't involve people, the reality is there. There's an athlete from Minneapolis who is competing while her town is under attack. There are skiiers and skaters seeing the effects of climate change.
4. I love every ridiculous stat they cite. No country with three syllables has ever won two consecutive medals in ski ballet. (Not a real event currently.)
5. I love every weird attempt to jack up the emotion in every hardship story. Jack, when you were diagnosed with seasonal allergies, did you think your athletic career was over?
Yes, but then I discovered snow sports, Susie, and my life was changed.
6. I love judging the country outfits. It amuses me how serious about cold some countries are, versus the ones that are like, will a puffy hat be enough? Also seeing which secondary and tertiary colors some countries adopt. And the athletes that are the lone competitor for their country.
7. Also, people talk about Superbowl ads, but I confess I love judging the Olympic ads. They attempt to be heartwarming and sometimes are.
