Post by Rey Kahuka on Aug 9, 2021 12:29:42 GMT
Some great stats, but this comment regarding the US men's track is wrong:
There were no men's track golds for the first time
They won their final race, the 4x400.
The US women were unbelievable, finishing with 23 gold medals. If they were their own country, they would've finished fourth in the world! (Technically third because it would've divided the overall US tally)
The US once again won the most golds, the most overall medals, and also had 26 4th place finishes. What an incredible showing for what I called a 'disaster' a week ago. Complaining about men's track or the USWNT sleepwalking through the Olympics are clearly the firstest of first world problems.
Watching the closing ceremonies last night was a final reminder of why I love the Olympic games. The effort, the human endeavor involved in all aspects of the games is staggering-- and it's all positive. The Olympics are the best kind of nationalism, if only we could settle all disputes with a race or a game instead of inventing new ways to kill each other. You want national prestige and respect, this is how you do it. Not bombs or cold war bullshit. Let's play volleyball to decide this.
The ceremony was spectacular, the mood was perfect, the Japanese put on an amazing games despite all the hardships. It's just a tragedy their people couldn't enjoy their nation's best ever showing at an Olympic games because their living nightmare next door neighbors had to ruin it for everyone.
The US volleyball player last night during the ceremony, crying her eyes out as she looked at her gold. That sums up the mood of a closing ceremony perfectly. It's joy, relief, spectacle, the pinnacle of success; but there is a sadness to the end of the journey. This goal you set for yourself, the focus, the dedication you put into it for years; it's completed. You've scaled the mountain and now you have to find that next challenge. It's life, encapsulated in a moment. So glad the cameras caught it.
Again, congratulations to all the athletes of all competing nations for their effort and success (and by that I mean simply making the Olympic Games), and a special thank you to Tokyo for putting on a memorable show 'in these unprecedented times.' The Olympics should make us all proud as citizens of this modern world, regardless of medal count. If only our governments would try half as hard on solving issues like hunger, homelessness and social inequality, imagine what we could accomplish.