The Olympics
I just love the olympics. What an incredible cross-cultural event! I love the spirit, determination, hopes, she
er grit and courage exhibited by the athletes and their trainers. But I also love listening to the many languages represented. What joy and pride the athletes from many nations must feel to hear the announcements in their own languages and to see their national flags flying high, representing their countries. The team spirits are often inspiring too.
What I also find intriguing is how Westernized the sports are. In many cases, I know that the concepts of beauty, training and accomplishment which are emulated in the Olympics are not necessarily recognized or traditionally accepted within some of the cultures represented. For example, it is fascinating to watch Chinese figure skaters, the women dressed
exposing much of their bodies, "dancing" so closely and intimately with their male counterparts, often to Western music. Traditional Chinese dance would be much slower, restrained and not done in partnership with another. Furthermore, traditionally, women dress very modestly in Asian cultures and are rarely seen touching men in public for any reason.
I remember watching the few members of Cambodia's first Olympic team training in Phnom Penh where we lived. Observers stood in awe watching the team members run through the streets, as professional or national team sports are pretty much unheard of. Traditional Khmer games are generally not competitive in the same way our Western games are. The idea of judging to choose one winner is foreign. Most games are team oriented or played to just have fun, not create reigning champions.
I watch with keen interest as the news coverage spotlights the individual stories of athletes. It is touching to see the human side to these icons of strength and toughness. Though aspirations for olympic fitness are beyond the reach of most of us, the stories of family, friends, encouragement, obstacles, struggle and achievement are ones which can inspire us all. And sometimes their stories help us see the unique situations faced in the various cultures represented. What is universal, however, is the human desire to endure, to accomplish, to stand with pride representing our language and culture. I like to look at the Olympics as a celebration of culture and human spirit and a symbol of hope for global peace.
er grit and courage exhibited by the athletes and their trainers. But I also love listening to the many languages represented. What joy and pride the athletes from many nations must feel to hear the announcements in their own languages and to see their national flags flying high, representing their countries. The team spirits are often inspiring too.What I also find intriguing is how Westernized the sports are. In many cases, I know that the concepts of beauty, training and accomplishment which are emulated in the Olympics are not necessarily recognized or traditionally accepted within some of the cultures represented. For example, it is fascinating to watch Chinese figure skaters, the women dressed
exposing much of their bodies, "dancing" so closely and intimately with their male counterparts, often to Western music. Traditional Chinese dance would be much slower, restrained and not done in partnership with another. Furthermore, traditionally, women dress very modestly in Asian cultures and are rarely seen touching men in public for any reason.I remember watching the few members of Cambodia's first Olympic team training in Phnom Penh where we lived. Observers stood in awe watching the team members run through the streets, as professional or national team sports are pretty much unheard of. Traditional Khmer games are generally not competitive in the same way our Western games are. The idea of judging to choose one winner is foreign. Most games are team oriented or played to just have fun, not create reigning champions.
I watch with keen interest as the news coverage spotlights the individual stories of athletes. It is touching to see the human side to these icons of strength and toughness. Though aspirations for olympic fitness are beyond the reach of most of us, the stories of family, friends, encouragement, obstacles, struggle and achievement are ones which can inspire us all. And sometimes their stories help us see the unique situations faced in the various cultures represented. What is universal, however, is the human desire to endure, to accomplish, to stand with pride representing our language and culture. I like to look at the Olympics as a celebration of culture and human spirit and a symbol of hope for global peace.
posted by Gecko Girl at
7:33 PM
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