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Every year the Olympics come around, I’m reminded about the best parts of sports, how much it means for athletes to represent their countries and the cultural and societal impact organized international competition can have on the world.
The 2024 Games have begun in Paris, and if you’re not watching, whether because of a longstanding indifference toward the Olympics or a genuine disinterest, I implore you to give it another try.
The Lakers’ LeBron James, the Suns’ Kevin Durant and the Warriors’ Steph Curry put on a show in Team USA’s victory over Serbia. Snoop Dogg cheered on Simone Biles as the star American gymnast battled through a calf injury to still put herself in prime position for another gold. Katie Ledecky, the greatest and most decorated American woman swimmer of all time (and niece of Islanders co-owner Jon Ledecky), lost to her biggest rival, Australia’s Ariarne Titmus, in the 400-meter freestyle.
It’s a two-week celebration of the lifelong hard work of 11,040 insatiable souls whose dreams have been painted in gold for as long as they can remember.