Olympic Chaos

The Olympic Games are egalitarian by design. Any country can participate, and a wide variety of sports are represented, from popular sports like soccer to obscure athletic pursuits that rarely gain media attention.

Anything can happen at the Olympics. Athletes and countries that weren’t expected to perform well pull off surprising upsets against big favorites.

This year’s games have been remarkably unpredictable. The “chaos factor” makes every day exciting. Heavy favorites have been defeated, disqualified, or had to withdraw due to health issues or positive Covid tests. Unknowns and underdogs dazzled with breakout performances, dazzling televisions audiences and earning hard-won medals. 

Chaos has been a driving factor of the 2020 Olympics from the start. The games were delayed a full year due to a raging pandemic. Athletes are sequestered in hotel rooms, unable to roam and socialize in the Olympic Village. The stands are empty. Audiences were banned from the games at the last minute. Families support the athletes from afar with watch parties in their home countries.

Still, the Games have managed to go on. The surprising results have added a dimension of thrills and human interest to what could have been a disaster.

To all of the athletes who are participating, to all of the families and coaches and organizations who support them, to all of the countries who fielded Olympic teams in uncertain times, and to the host country of Japan and the magnificent city of Tokyo, who overcame staggering challenges just to make these Games possible, we thank you for bringing us joy and excitement and a clear, powerful sense that life can go on no matter how great the difficulties we face.