I f*cking love the Olympics!

If you need me in the next two weeks, I'm busy...

The Olympics are a magical time. It’s an opportunity for mothers everywhere to be concerned about the athletes catching a cold in the rain during the opening ceremony. It’s another moment for me to be confused about North Korea’s involvement in the games every four years. Most of all, it’s a chance for us to have discourse on the fact that the man painted in blue, skipping around a runway is not a depiction of Jesus, who would’ve known?

One of the things that makes me unlike the other girlies is my love for the Olympics. I don’t consider myself sporty at all, but I’ve always enjoyed watching individual sports. Let’s see what one person can do on their own with pure training and enough stubbornness. Beyond the noise of controversy, both legitimate or made up is the power of humankind. The calls for peace in the opening ceremony can seem eerily formal and like a self-given pat on the back. In what universe is it truly profound to vaguely call for peace? But as someone who can find fault in everything, I’m doing what I can to bring myself back to childhood and just be in awe of the strength and grit that these people have.

Watch America's sweetheart, Steven Nedoroscik win big for U.S.A.'s men’s gymnastics team.

Social media has been fascinating during this time. To no one’s surprise, most of my network are artists, but the enthusiasm that they all share with sports right now is both hysterical and beautiful. I’m watching people online who are rightfully frustrated with our country all of a sudden cheer on our nation’s team like the closeted patriots they are. But at the root of it all is a feeling of connection. The world may see artists very differently from athletes, but artists often see no difference. It takes sacrifice, heartbreak, discipline, and yes, the arts are also filled with blood, sweat, and tears (I once exited stage left to find myself bleeding profusely from my foot- tell me that isn’t hardcore.)

There are many athletes in my life that I adore and they are often surprised at my ability to relate to them when it comes to their sport. But that mentality is rooted in gendered propaganda (that discussion is for another day, don’t worry.) Our external practice may look different but our internal worlds are more or less the same.

I’ve found myself practicing with the Olympics in the background only to see many other colleagues doing the same. Nothing like pairing Mozart's phrasing with canoe slalom or a Rossini da capo aria with women’s rugby (I see you out there.) What we have in common with Olympians is beyond breath stamina; it’s striving for excellence. And there is not much I love more on earth than watching people strive and achieve excellence. Seeing someone win their event tugs at my heartstrings. Watching families contort their bodies in anxiety as they watch their baby go for gold makes my stomach uneasy. Seeing people cry with joy makes my eyes feel warm and watery. Because after all, I know what it is to dream, make sacrifices, and have a whole village behind me.

Favorite events:

• rock climbing

• all things track and field

• archery ( a new fave)

• swimming

• diving

• surfing

• what the hell, I like it all