It’s a tradition that dates back to Ancient Greece—one that has evolved with the changes of time.
A showcase of unparalleled athleticism, a connection among nations and often times, a stand for resilience, the Olympic games are heading into Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Summer Games early next month, and we’ve got the top five reasons why we can never seem to get enough of the Olympics.
USA: We all have our favorite sports teams – rivalries between college stomping grounds and NBA playoff hotshots. However, there’s something exhilarating about joining in with nearly all of your fellow Americans and cheering on the United States in the final minutes of a soccer game or in the last lap of a swimming competition. You’ll find us rooting for our American athletes until we’re red, white and blue in the face.
CULTURE IN ACTION: If we’re honest, we could all stand to learn a little more about different cultures around the world. That’s why the opening ceremonies for the games, especially the summer games, is so exciting. An entire country comes together to present its culture to the world in the form of an elaborate showcase. We still think that Beijing’s 2008 display was the best yet, but you never know what Rio has up its sleeve.
ROCK THAT BODY: There are athletes from 206 countries that will compete in 306 events in 42 different sports throughout the games. What that means is that, during the two weeks of the Olympics, some of the world’s best athletes will gather together to show off their incredible talent, drive and skill. The athleticism required to compete at an Olympic level for nearly every event is no small feat, and it’s amazing to watch.
RUN, FORREST, RUN: Year after year, there never fails to be a “run, Forrest, run” moment, if you will—that moment when you’re on the edge of your seat, watching as your favorite Olympian is about to cross the finish line, break a new world record or earn a perfect score. We live for those moments. They’re the fuel to our Monday-morning office chatter and the substance of our hashtag Twitter mania.
HUMANITY AT ITS BEST: Since the last Summer Olympics, the world has seen more turmoil and more strife. For the first year, a team of refugees, formerly from multiple countries, has banded together to enter the Olympics as a team of their own, claiming no country but instead claiming their own humanity. The Olympics have a way of highlighting those people who transcend global unrest and shine a light on the best that humanity has to offer.