I am a sports fan. For better or worse I enjoy competition and believe that when correctly applied it can be extremely healthy both physically and mentally. This does not include pressurizing soccer moms or football dads, it does not include things like grooming your 4 year old to be the next huge endorsement-filled megastar. I believe that kids should play what they like and if they continue to enjoy it and excel then it is right that there is a proper stage for them to compete and even earn a living. After all, it is the most visceral entertainment because it is not an act- its really happening.
Obviously I'm thinking about this because I watched the opening ceremonies in Beijing tonight. I was not 100% behind the idea that China, given their atrocious human rights record (followed closely by the U.S. in my book) should be allowed the honor of hosting such a historically significant (and profitable) event. After watching the opening- the stunningly beautiful spectacle that centered around the theme "One World, One Dream" I could not be more excited at China's effort. They spent something around 55 billion dollars to put on a games that saw the Chinese character for "harmony" repeatedly used in the opening performance. It was literally written and figuratively illustrated by the thousands of children, dancers and artists of all types used in the piece. The show seemed much more than entertainment- you could feel the hopes of the billion-plus Chinese people behind each jump, spin, and tai-chi movement.
Until tonight, I wasn't sure I would watch much of the Olympics even though sports is the ultimate reality show. I didn't know if I believed in the drama of a world event, whether I could suspend the cynicism that creeps in about performance-enhancers and blood doping and fascist-trained kids competing for national glory. I still think even the opening act could be an elaborate propaganda piece approved by some shady Chinese minister of information. For now I have shelved all those thoughts. There is a beauty in this competition, yet for myself it isn't about who wins the most medals- it is about the spirit of the individuals sweating under hot lights and a fuzzy blanket of smog. It is about the lessons of winning, and the wisdom of losing and all the emotions in-between. It is about challenges and willpower and overcoming. It is about hope becoming real like a ragman winning the lottery.
The Olympics offer a chance for a world-sized pause. If China can teach people about coming together, anything can happen. Tonight I will concentrate on that idea before I sleep so that I can figure it all out in my dreams.
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