What the Olympics are about

The Olympic games in Rio have been a bit of a mixed bag.

Sure, there have been plenty of exciting events that have taken place, but they’ve been marred by problems arising both before the games started and during the festivities as well.

Allegations of rigged boxing matches have risen recently after an Irish fighter lost in a controversial decision to his Russian opponent and, more blatantly, a Japanese fighter losing to his Azerbaijan opponent via decision after the Japanese boxer knocked his opponent down six times. The Japanese man would later be awarded the win, only after a formal protest was filed.

The Olympic diving pool developed a severe algae problem during the games, turning what normally would be light blue water into a more emerald green color.

Even outside of the games, controversy has taken shape. U.S. swimmer Ryan Lochte claimed he and three teammates were held up at gunpoint by thieves posing as policemen early Sunday morning. A recent statement made by a Rio de Janeiro police investigator has attempted to cast doubt on Lochte’s claims, saying there isn’t evidence a robbery took place.

It’s easy to find fault with many aspects of the modern Olympics, from how host cities have often sanitized areas near Olympic venues of homeless residents, how building contracts for many Olympic venues tend to be bloated, or even how U.S. coverage of the games focuses on a U.S. versus the world theme, focusing on arbitrary medal counts to show off the United States’ dominance at the game. While those criticisms are well-earned, those are topics for another day.

Despite all that, the Olympics are a celebration of the absolute panicle of athletic achievement. It isn’t and shouldn’t be seen as a parallel for how dominant certain countries are, it’s a show of how the best of the best from around the world compete in their given sports. It’s also a show of how humanity can transcend national boundaries.

Take Fu Yuanhui, a Chinese swimmer whose reaction to finding out she tied for a bronze medal in the 100-meter backstroke was shared throughout China and the world. Yuanhui has also become known for her facial expression made during the medal ceremony. Her barely-contained excitement is easily relatable to anyone watching the games and wondering what it’s like to stand on the podium.

Another swimmer, Joseph Schooling of Singapore, pulled off an amazing upset when he won gold in the 100-meter butterfly. He beat Michael Phelps, Chad le Clos and Kaszio Cseh, a group ending the event in a three-way tie for silver. Shortly after Schooling’s win, a photo circulated online showing him standing with Phelps in 2008, whom Schooling idolized.

Yes, there are stories of how corruption taints the ideal of the Olympics, but right now, the stories of how competitors have come together on the world’s largest stage are more important.