It’s hard being the only sports fan in my household. As the summer Olympics in Paris have played out over the last couple weeks, I have had to Greco-Roman wrestle away the remote from my group of gals to get any significant watch time in.
Back before the days of on-demand television — and even the internet — the summer Olympics was one of my family’s favorite global events.
From watching soccer and track and field with my dad to gymnastics and swimming with my mom, the Olympics provided an escape from the dismal lineup of summer shows plaguing the TV guide in the Sunday newspaper.
This year, with minimal interest from my girls, I’ve had few with whom to talk Olympics — so I’m pouring it into this column.
This summer games has been historic, entertaining and inspirational. I was most excited for the U.S. men’s soccer team returning to the tournament, qualifying for the first time since 2008. After an exciting 2-win group stage, we crashed out in the quarterfinals to a Morocco squad that played a stellar match.
Right now as I type this — just before 1 p.m. on Tuesday — the U.S. women’s soccer team is tied with Germany in the semifinals, and I’m having to keep telling myself to focus on writing and not crunching up on our print deadline.
Outside of my favorite sport, I have greatly enjoyed watching the U.S. athletes find success across many events.
The U.S. men’s gymnastic team medaled early on in the games, for the first time since 2008, and though it was a team effort, the performance of pommel horse specialist Stephen Nedoroscik. Often times, team sports require role players, and Nedoroscik’s role may have seemed minor, but it made the difference between standing on the podium and having to wait another four year.
The U.S. women’s gymnastic team reached even greater heights. The return and success of Simone Biles after withdrawing in 2021 for mental health reasons has been an inspiration to watch. I cannot imagine the pressure these athletes must face in the biggest moments of their lives — and to see them conquer those challenges is uplifting and even emotional.
Another example of that fighting spirit is U.S. sprinter Noah Lyles, now the “Fastest Man in the World” after winning the 100-meter dash by .005 seconds, literally a nose ahead of the Jamaican favored to win.
In the women’s 100, Sha’Carri Richardson was favored to win, but she came up a hair short in the final sprint. However, seeing Julien Alfred win the first-ever medal, and a gold, for St. Lucia — a Caribbean island country of less than 180,000 people and less than 1/3 the landmass of Barry County — was just as exciting as a U.S. win.
Our pool performance also needs noting. The U.S. ran away in the medal count with 28 to second-best Australia’s 18 — and Katie Ledecky’s distance race domination had me on the edge of my seat!
Of course, there can’t be an Olympics without some kind of controversy. Canada’s women’s soccer team cheating with drones drew some headlines, as has the water quality of the river Seiner. No stories have been more circulated here though than the opening ceremony “The Last Supper” and the story of Algerian boxer Imane Khelif.
For what it’s worth, the opening ceremony scene evoked “The Last Supper” for me the first time I saw it. I didn’t take it as purposefully offensive, but I can see how it could be. One thing is for sure, Christianity remains the world’s foremost religion, and no opening ceremony scene will change that.
The Khelif arguments have frustrated me. Both sides are right in a way. Due to a congenital condition, Khelif has male chromosomes and produces more testosterone, but was also born with a full female reproductive system (except ovaries). The case could be made by either side Khelif should fight in the other gender’s competition. Ultimately, Khelif entered the Olympics with 9 wins and 5 losses — all to women — which says to me she is in the right tournament.
Religious and political controversy have a long history in the Olympics, and 2024 has added yet another chapter to the novel. To me, said issues drag the games down and elicit anger and emotion better left at the door.
Instead of railing on the negative, find a happier outlet. Athletes in these games have trained their whole lives for these fleeting moments, and let their success inspire yours.
As Lyles said after winning the 100, “I have asthma, allergies, dyslexia, ADD, anxiety and depression. But I will tell you that what you have does not define what you can become. Why not you?”
Kyle Troutman has served as editor of the Cassville Democrat since 2014 and owner/publisher since 2023. He was named William E. James/Missouri Outstanding Young Journalist for daily newspapers in 2017, and he is a two-time ISWNE Golden Dozen award winner. He may be reached at 417-847 2610 or ktroutman@cassville- democrat.com.
