It was a typical Sunday morning as the pastor stood before the parishioners making the weekly church announcements. As he departed to join the choir for the formal entrance to begin the service, he suddenly reappeared, stating, “One more announcement, the hockey game is 1-1 after two periods.” The congregation nodded and smiled approvingly.
The ‘hockey game’ in question was the Olympic Gold Medal men’s championship game between the United States and Canada, won by Team USA 2-1 in overtime, giving the red, white & blue its first hockey gold medal since the ‘Miracle on Ice’ 1980 team that defeated the heavily favored Russians, ironically on the same February 22 date 46 years ago.
No further sports updates emanated from the pulpit; however, one hockey-crazed attendee not so discreetly left the service, phone in hand. When he returned with a smile on his face, accompanied by a thumbs-up gesture, all knew victory had been achieved.
The Winter Olympics do not generate the kind of sports excitement that United States sports fans show for football, baseball, and basketball. While the competitions are always intense and filled with stories of human drama, it’s hard for Americans to get excited about so many sports they know little about.
When was the last time you tuned in to view Skimo (uphill and downhill ski racing), Skijoring (athletes pulled across the snow by a horse), or Biathlon (rifle shooting and cross-country skiing)?
But hockey does move our sports needle. TV ratings for the USA women’s overtime gold medal victory over Canada earlier in the Olympics attracted 5.3 million viewers. At this writing, the ratings for the men’s game were not available, but the game was expected to top the 7-million mark. Overall, this year’s Olympic Games were viewed by 25.7 million, making it the most-watched winter Olympics since 2014. By comparison, this year’s Super Bowl drew an audience of 124 million.
The Olympic Games are truly ancient history, but their purpose may be more important today than it ever has been. At a time when discord is running rampant around the globe, the aim of the Games, “to unite the world through sport, promote peace, cultural exchange, and personal excellence, while fostering values of friendship, respect, and fair play,” is much needed.
Originating in ancient Greece around 776 BC, the Olympics began as a religious and athletic festival in honor of Zeus. Those early games featured a single footrace, but over time, additional events such as wrestling, boxing, chariot racing, and the pentathlon were added. The Winter Games did not become part of the Olympic movement until 1924, when they were first held in Chamonix, France.
The Modern Games bring together athletes from over 200 nations, promoting peaceful competition and mutual understanding across cultural, racial, and religious boundaries. The Games are guided by three fundamental values:
• Excellence: Striving to achieve one’s personal best in sports and life.
• Friendship: Building solidarity, mutual understanding, and lifelong bonds.
• Respect: Upholding fair play, ethical conduct, and respect for others.
The Olympics aside, there are those among us holding the view that sports have become all too important in our society. It is a belief that cannot be ignored, as overzealous actions of individuals, institutions, corporations, and athletic entities have led to the eroding of bullet point three above.
But one thing is certain — it is the universal language of sport that can bring people together.
Research has indicated that there are 7,000 languages in use today around the globe. This results from a combination of natural language change, human migration, geographical isolation, and cultural adaptation. Those Skimo competitors may not be able to speak to one another, but it is a sport that puts them on common ground. The same can be said for those who compete in soccer, baseball, track & field, etc., around the world.
Currently, those high school teams and individuals who have survived district and regional competitions with dreams of PIAA gold medals around their necks are moving on. Hopefully, as they engage others with the same goal, the respect shown by those Olympic athletes will remain prevalent.
Our area has been blessed to applaud the efforts of so many teams and athletes that have been crowned Pennsylvania’s best over the years. Sadly, we all can’t win, but we can all compete.
One of my most vivid sports memories over the years came as a result of a defeat. While coaching basketball at South Williamsport in the early 2000s, Allan Taylor led a Mountaineer team to Inter District play against multi-time state champion Trinity. The game was held at the old Hershey Park Arena in a magical environment.
The Shamrocks were heavily favored, featuring four college-bound players, including two D1 recruits. The Mounties hung with them and held a one-point lead after three quarters. Eventually, superior talent prevailed and Trinity won by double digits. They would go on to easily win another state title, with South providing them with their closest game.
Twenty years later, that same Trinity coach referenced that game, showing his respect to the current South Williamsport coach. May that same Olympic spirit prevail, whatever be your sport!
