Summon the Heroes

It's hard to explain the feeling that surrounds the Olympics; I'm sure for most people it's that way. Every 2 years (now that we've split the Winter and Summer Games), the whole world stops, comes together, and celebrates the human spirit. It's about athletes, yes, and I'm certainly one to appreciate the quest for greatness and glory in sports. But it's more than that. It's the joy and fire of the tap-dancing fiddlers and the quiet pride of the aboriginal people in the opening ceremonies. It's seeing countries of millions represented by one, proudly waving their flags for all they're worth. It's story after story of triumph in the face of extreme trial--recovering from injury, competing in memory of lost loved ones, somehow continuing after losing a teammate to a freak accident the day before he takes the world stage. It's tears and awe and fear and relief. It's pure and over-the-top at the same time. There's nothing like it. So, excuse me while I glue myself to the TV for the next 2 weeks to cheer on 216 of our country's greatest.