It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to personally experience something as spectacular and uplifting as the Paris Olympic games.
When I left Salt Lake City last week and headed to Paris for the 2024 Olympic games, I was excited, but wasn’t expecting to return changed by the experience. I’ll just put it out there: The Olympics exceeded my expectations in every way. In addition to a spectacular level of sport, a fantastic confluence of nations, and the sparkling and ephemeral beauty of youth on display, the city of Paris added a dimension to the experience unlike any other Olympics I’ve attended. And, I suppose, the reason we love the Olympics so much is that they are truly exceptional events.
The streets of Paris are paved with history, and the city is a masterpiece. By day, it was a walker’s paradise and by night it was, well, so beautiful to behold that it left me breathless. Every. Single. Night.
I met Olympians who won gold and refugees who have overcome extraordinary obstacles to make these games. I got to talk to volunteers, organizers, coaches, medalists, former Olympians, and perhaps a few future ones. Meeting these people – from every corner of the globe – made the Olympic dream something tactile. It’s carried in the people and in the moment and it is an ideal that brims with optimism.
As we look toward 2034 with great excitement, it needs to be said: the best part of experiencing the Olympics is the feeling the Olympics conjure, the much-needed reminder that all humans are amazing, that every one of us has something to offer, and that we are part of a legacy of excellence or, at least, the legacy of hope that excellence is not impossible to achieve.
The stated motto of the games is: Citius, Altius, Fortius – Communiter, or, Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together.
Heed its call: When we as a species work together, we can literally achieve anything, and handle everything. Oh, that we could be galvanized to make this unity our norm.
Our power when we work together is multiplied, and the good that can be achieved through common purpose knows no bounds. That ideal is what fills me with energy as I look ahead to our date with history here in Utah.
Alisha Gorder, Salt Lake City
