Every four years, the Winter Olympics brings thousands of athletes from around the globe together to compete in a variety of extremely competitive and difficult sports that take place both on ice and on snow. The competitions include everything from figure skating to snowboarding and show the incredible amounts of time, effort, money, and sacrifice each athlete has put into training and preparation for this moment. Millions of people will watch the games for entertainment and to support their country, however, the Winter Olympics have much more to offer than simply winning medals or competing against one another. To better understand students’ views on the Winter Olympics and their importance to students today, I asked many of my classmates for their opinions about why the Winter Olympics are important today and what they represent to them.
The Winter Olympics have continued to be a vital part of our culture today because they display what is possible with “persistence and perseverance” while also showcasing sports which may not be shown on television regularly.
Freshman Edward Bentacourt states that the Winter Olympics teach young people that achieving success takes “time, effort and patience, as well as practice.” Although the Olympics are about competing against one another, Bentacourt believes that the Olympic Games brings nations together because: “Nations have competition; however, nations also unite by respecting each other and celebrating the spirit of good sportsmanship globally.”
Bentacourt feels that the Winter Olympics are the most representative of “perseverance and determination” because the athletes in these games spend years training and do not quit when they fail or get injured.
Giuseppe Polanda, another freshman, thinks the Winter Olympics are still important today due to their ability to bring people from all over the globe together with a positive common goal. Polanda states that the Olympics “bring the world together for something good” during a time of great conflict and division among many countries. In addition to bringing countries together through competition, Polanda stated that the Olympics serve to motivate young athletes by showing them that “all hard work and practice will eventually lead to large accomplishments”.
Freshman Juanita Vargas says the Winter Olympics still mean something because it allows people from all over the world to come together in their communities and offer viewers an entertaining thing to watch. She states that the Olympics provide young athletes and students with motivation to practice and try harder, so they can achieve their dreams; and that “practicing and working hard is important to reach your dreams.” Although there is always competition, she feels the Olympics encourage unity among athletes. She said that even though athletes compete against one another, athletes “still show each other respect, and support.” When Vargas watches athletes overcome obstacles or challenges, it inspires her to continue to push through her own challenges when they arise; and encourages her to “not give up when things get tough.”
The Winter Olympics have implications well beyond winning medals and competing. Through the perspectives of MAST students it is demonstrated that the Winter Olympics provide examples of perseverance, commitment to goals, team effort, and unity. The Winter Olympics also help motivate children to be dedicated to their personal objectives and to push through barriers by demonstrating to them how hard work and motivation will produce positive results in life.
Although each athlete competes as an individual, he or she continues to demonstrate respect toward his or her competitor and demonstrates good sportsmanship, which clearly shows that the Olympics unite people, rather than separate them. Ultimately, the Winter Olympics continue to remain relevant today, because the Winter Olympics serve as a reminder of what can be accomplished through both hard work and determination and with a collective global spirit.