Today, August 11, the Olympic Games come to an end. It is a bittersweet finale for the athletes who participated – some leaving Paris with gold, silver, and bronze hardware, others heading home with once-in-a-lifetime memories. Politics have often tarnished the Olympics, and a tinge of it lingered throughout the competition. However, this year, despite a rocky start at the opening ceremonies, the Summer Games of the XXXIII Olympiad in Paris brought forth the essence of athleticism, which encompasses enormous personal discipline, team spirit, and an inspirational ability to overcome unimaginable obstacles. These are the qualities Team USA brought to the games, and America should take pride in its athletes.
For 19 days, more than 10,000 athletes competed in 32 sports. Between all the heats and semi-finals, the International Olympic Committee (IOC)…
