So we've been watching bits and pieces of the Olympics, and secretly in my brain, I've been overly analyzing it. Here are some of my thoughts:I feel that with the Olympics, there is a fine line between extreme nationalism vs. this idea of unity of bringing countries together from around the world, participating in something great, and sharing their talents with the world.
In my conflict and culture class, we are currently learning about the process and dynamics of conflict management and resolution, and so on the positive side, I can see how the Olympics can be a way of peace building through rituals and symbols. On the flip side, I feel like it's an excuse for countries to become obviously very competitive, and this thought of "we're better than you" attitude.
Another side of the Olympics that is something I've taken unnecessary time thinking about, is the pressure that some of these athletes have to deal with. Tonight we were watching women's figure skating, and the commentators were talking about Kim Yu-Na from South Korea, and how she carries a very large load of pressure from her country. They explained that she is looked at as the biggest celebrity in South Korea, and that they expect nothing but gold from her. She also wrote a series of essays and published a book about the pressures from her country to win, and that she fears that they will reject her if she didn't get gold. Not only that, but they even write her hate mail when isn't the best in her competitions.
Well, at least the good news is, is that she just barely awarded the gold medal. At least her life will be spared.....
Ok, so maybe that was a little dramatic, but I just hate to hear things like that, and it's completely wrong and pathetic in my opinion. I know that there is much more to it than what I am getting into, but that's just a little taste of mu opinion on the matter.
What are your thoughts?
1 comment:
i felt unified more than hateful while at the olympics even when the brits smashed our american team at curling. also i loved that someone from some country would start cheering in their native tounge and then someone else from their country would hear from across the seats and waive their flag and cheer in their language. then canadians are just fun to hear their support of their team, even when most don't even get the game or rules of curling. like me and my friends... but it was an experience and i didn't hate anyone.
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