Anthony W. Haddad

The Millennial View

Red, white, and blue doesn’t course through my veins more than when the national anthem plays while our athletes stand atop the podium, gold medals gleaming around their necks, and the American flag draped over their shoulders.

For 16 days, my eyes are glued to the screen, counting every medal our athletes win, or checking my phone for the latest update on Ledecky winning another gold.

I will never be in the Olympics, but watching these superhumans battle it out, while I sit on my couch judging gymnastics routines as if a flip wouldn’t give me a life-changing injury, still makes me feel like I am cheering them on from the stands.

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The Worldwide Unity the Olympics Brings

The Olympics have always been a global testament to unity. Despite the world’s ongoing turmoil, the Games create a bond through the universal language of sport, uniting countries from across the globe. Athletes from nearly every nation come together, representing a vibrant tapestry of cultures and nationalities.

Even with diverse backgrounds, athletes share a common purpose: to compete at their highest level and achieve excellence. This mutual pursuit fosters a sense of camaraderie among nations. The Olympics also serve as one of the largest platforms for cultural exchange, allowing people worldwide to learn about and appreciate each other’s traditions, values, and ways of life.

What truly brings us together as humans is our shared experience. We find immense joy in watching athletes achieve their dreams and celebrate moments of triumph and solidarity. This collective experience allows us to bond over the spirit of sportsmanship and human achievement. The personal stories of athletes — overcoming adversity, making sacrifices, and showing dedication —resonate universally, bridging gaps between cultures and highlighting our common humanity.

Of course, not every country is present in the Games due to their actions outside the competition, such as Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Some countries continue to participate under controversial circumstances. Yet, from Fresno to Kyiv, we all carve out time from our busy lives to watch our athletes perform on some of the largest stages in their sports.

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The Opening Ceremonies

Something I look forward to every year is how the host country will put its spin on the Olympics’ Opening Ceremony.

In past Summer Olympic Games, we had portrayals of James Bond and the Queen of England jumping out of a plane, beautiful firework shows in Tokyo, an amazing lightshow in Rio, and even the drummers of the Beijing Olympics.

This year, approximately 94 boats carried 10,500 athletes, representing 206 National Olympic Committees, along with nearly 120 heads of state or government officials, down the Seine River, which acted as the primary stage. The parade route spanned 6 kilometers (about 3.73 miles).

As the parade unfolded, a torchbearer dressed in Assassin’s Creed gear from the legendary video game ran across rooftops, eventually reaching a runway to move the torch to its final placement. Within this spectacular show, the French showcased art from the Louvre, recreated the filming of the steam train that once scared audiences, and highlighted many other facets of French culture.

The Paris 2024 Controversy

Controversially, this year the French showcased their support for the LGBTQIA+ community with a performance inspired by the The Festival of Dionysus, a significant event in Athens dating to the 5th century, featuring drag performers in elaborate costumes. These performers stood by the runway, creating a tableau that some interpreted as an homage to “The Last Supper” painting. The performance featured a person dressed in all blue as Dionysus and a woman wearing a silver halo-like crown at the center of the runway.

Regardless of the intended message, many individuals were angry. While I believe everyone has the right to feel upset if their religion apears to be mocked, it’s interesting to note that similar portrayals of public figures, like Donald Trump, especially when he was compared to Jesus Christ in court that was shared heavily across social media (even his own), doesn’t always provoke the same level of outrage. It’s a strange inconsistency.

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I really believe that we just want to be mad at something, especially here in the United States. I am saddened by the outrage the Paris 2024 Olympics’ opening ceremony caused in many viewers and hope that the apology soothed the wounds enough for people to enjoy the Games.

The Games Themselves

Have you ever watched Olympic-level badminton? Or table tennis? These athletes perform feats that I can’t even fathom.

You see athletes who look like actual Greek gods and others who resemble the average person down the street, but each one is the best in their sport and proves it on an international level.

Many of these Games, such as badminton and table tennis, are sports I’ve played before — obviously, poorly. But the Olympics pull in sports that I don’t normally think about, like canoeing, trampoline, judo, cycling track, and many others. This year, something I’m especially excited to watch — and pretend I could do in my head — is breakdancing.

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Fresno even has its own move called “The Fresno.” Can I do it? No. Will I attempt it? Absolutely not.