At some point, the “40 for 40” experience generated a lot of momentum and I didn’t have to proactively seek experiences, they started to find me. That was the case with the Paris Olympics. I happened to be speaking with a colleague that mentioned they were getting tickets to the Olympics and I simply said, “if you get access to some tickets, let me know!”. In 1996, the Olympics were held in Atlanta, Georgia, a mere two hours away from me, and I did not get a chance to go. I remember the footage vividly and I had a t-shirt with “Izzy” on it that I loved. An opportunity to get to the Olympics was the perfect activity to add to my “live it” list!
The call came one random afternoon over a year ago, “I can get tickets. Are you in?” Yes, yes, yes I said to purchasing track and field tickets without having any clue where the tickets would be located (#uncommon favor landed me center field row 10!). Fast forward to the actual Olympics, and who knew you could be an alternate sitting in the stands!!! No one asked me directly per se but I yelled to the team from the stands that I was there and available. Even though I wasn’t tapped in, I just concluded the best 3-day, first time Olympic experience I could have imagined.
Beyonce said it best when she described America as a “big, bold, beautiful, complicated nation”. As a Black American woman born and raised in the south, I feel this sentiment deeply. However, the Olympic pride one feels rooting for your home country amongst people rooting for theirs is unparalleled. It feels like that moment where you may be in a fight with your brother or sister but if someone else tries to attack him or her, it’s ON! The American flag became the international “head nod” typically reserved for making eye contact with another BIPOC in the course of daily life. We, Americans, cheered alongside each other, booed alongside each other, shared hugs, laughs and pictures. For these moments we were all united for one common goal, to cheer our athletes to victory.
I saw world records broken, injuries, upsets, tears of joy, tears of sadness but most importantly I saw some of the most gifted athletes around the world doing their thing! I got a chance to see Sha’Carri Richards, Gabby Thomas and Noah Lyles race. I developed a new obsession with the Pole Vault event - Katie Moon is my shero! I saw my first Water Polo event (sans Flava Flav unfortunately). I watched both women’s and men’s basketball. The women’s game - clean sweep. The men’s game almost gave me a heart attack! Serbia did not come to play but thankfully Team USA pulled through!
Bonus part of the experience was the hospitality add on. I’ve done this for a number of sporting events and highly recommend. Aside from a space to relax and recharge away from the masses, there are generally installations that are often informative and interactive, enhancing the overall experience. At the Paris Olympics “Club 24”, I was able to simulate coming out of the blocks on a race track (something I haven’t done since high school), have my own victory ceremony and see featured athletes break dancing as part of the Olympic competition debut.
Call to action: Don’t keep your interests private. Be engaged with those around you - you never know what you have in common and where the discussion will take you. No one can help you if they don’t know what you need - it could take you to the Olympics!
Reflecting on patriotism post my Olympic experience, Kevin Durant described it best, “A lot of bullsh*t happens in our country, but a lot of great things happen, too."
Go Team USA,
Megan.
*Note this post was written before Jordan Chiles was stripped of her bronze medal.
