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Rio Olympics (3) / Flag and the Nations
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Rio Olympics (3) / Flag and the Nations
A 43 year old woman was the Gold medalist for Woman’s Cycling. She worked in the hospital as a nurse and after crossing the finish line; she collapsed for a moment then got up and hugged her son and cried together. It was a touching image. Despite her age being too far gone for Olympics, she had passed in Olympics trials, and after defeating many strong opponents she somehow earned Gold. Being so touched, I got up and in tears clapped loudly for her.
In Woman’s Triathlon the winner was if I can remember correctly was in her mid-40s. 1mile of swimming, short marathon and a miles of cycling requires extreme strength and patience. Apparently her job was a stay home mother. Her response to the news reporters were “As an athlete I was able to represent my country, and to earn a medal is such an honor.” Her seriousness as an athlete was felt when she put her pride beside and did it for her nation. When asked how she was able to achieve such goal, she replied: “I had to go through 30 pairs of bicycle tires to practice and I had done the same with marathon as well.” Her strength and willpower was not achieved in a single day. Her passion and wholeness in dedication was what made it possible for her to achieve Gold medal. I also see that their families’ support was also a major help.
In recent news in sports, San Francisco 49er’s quarterback Colin Kaepernick did not rise during the Star-Spangled Banner. By convention, everyone was to rise before the national anthem when someone famous sings, in which every sportsman and those watching must rise with their hand on their right part of chest then finish with a shout. It is an inspiring view.
But Kaepernick did not rise. When many people were condemning Kaepernick for his actions, he replied about police abuse in San Francisco. Many people condemned him because it was not of his action, but the arrow of disrespect to the authority of the police. I think he had the past experience of how the white police had mistreated black people.
The reason why I also write this is, during the last Rio Olympics, Sam Kendricks (First lieutenant Reserve) did something amazing and unforgettable. During Men’s Pole Vaulting in the middle of the games, it was Sam Kendricks’ turn to run for the pole vault. But suddenly he stopped in his track of running. I kept a close eye for him because of his action. There were many track and field sports happening at the moment and multitudes of nations of people were cheering for their athletes. Somewhere, there was the “Star Spangled Banner” being played. Kendricks was running with the pole when he stopped and put the pole down, then put his hand on his chest. He was a true soldier – after he started to look around, looking for the American Flag somewhere in the track field. After the anthem was finished, he continued on with his Pole Vaulting. I do not care if he had earned a medal or not. Because his loyalty to his nation was all that made the game more satisfying as a young soldier’s spirit.
Back in Korea many years ago, the Anti-America sentiment was on the rise and I read a newspaper article about something. A college wanted to express their anti-American sentiment by placing the flag on the streets so people can step on it. But when this happened, many people were shocked and confused when something happened. Some young American elementary students blocked people left and right so people cannot step on the flag. How could adults dare walk on the American flag?
The flag represents that county. I remember watching the movie Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War. The movie depicts the brutality of the Korean War. On March 1st of 1919, many of our ancestors were beaten and sent to prisons, (some died in prison) for doing the March 1st Movement. The Liberation of Korea and the Korean Flag can never be separated. I remember when Seoul was restored during the Korean War, the Korean Flag being raised in the Gyeyangdae (central government flag pole stand) was a very prideful thing to see.
Also during the Olympic Wrestling a young Korean silver medalist had draped the Korean Flag around himself and said, “Until today, I was most proud of the Korean Flag ever.” To be a contestant as an independent nation, to be able to wave the flag freely and to hear the national anthem is a very thankful thing.
(August 30th, 2016)
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The Strange Acorn Tree 
Rio Olympics (3) / Flag and the Nations