2018 Winter Olympics

Thank you to the 2018 Winter Olympic Games for uniting humanity as we know it across every continent and coming together as one united community.

The 2018 Winter Olympics held in PyeongChang, South Korea marked the twenty-third running of the global event. The Olympic Games offer an opportunity for individuals to represent their sport and nationality. With 15 sports represented by 75 countries from around the world, the Olympic Games are a special experience for all those involved.

In recent times there has been troubling occurrences and uncertainty around the globe causing turmoil and hostility. Personally, I feel the Olympics are a time where we can put our differences aside and unite under one common interest, the pride for our country and the passion for our sport. Despite the many language barriers and cultural differences that separate us on a global scale, sports are Universal whether you are from Russia or Jamaica. Sports are meant to bring people together and require athletes to work as a team.

When an athlete competes in the Olympic Games they are not just representing themselves, but they embody an entire Nation. An athlete is an ambassador for their country, sport, and the global sports community.

The Olympics have even brought families closer together. Marissa Brandt was born in South Korea, adopted as an infant and has lived an American lifestyle ever since. Brandt and her American sister Hannah shared a passion for hockey throughout their lives together. When given the opportunity for Hannah to play for the United States and Marissa being asked to join the Korean unified team, there was no doubt it was meant to be.

Athletes come from all parts of a country competing for professional, amateur or collegiate teams, but when they come together they represent one Nation. Respective sports support one another, cheering on their fellow American, Australian or German teammates. If a Nation can unite as one, I believe the world must unite as one.

Chloe Kim is a first-generation Korean-American Olympic gold medalist in the Women's Snowboard Halfpipe. Competing in the 2018 Winter Olympics, Kim is another example of how the national stage of sports has brought us together. South Korea is home to Kim's parents who were there to witness their daughter's gold medal victory.

World peace is a common hope and a desired fate that we have struggled to see in past years. I believe The Olympic Games represent much more than the best athletes in the world, it signifies the unity and compassion we share with one another. Thank you to the Olympics for bringing our Nations together and joining one another in a continued effort of world peace.