Are Sports Really That Unifying?

August 9, 2008 on 5:14 pm | In Cultural Commentary, Greatest Hits, Mind of the Minister |

Unitalian and I have a disagreement in the comments here about my post after watching some of the Olympics Opening Ceremony. Uni seems to think that I’m casting the entire Chinese people as “pariahs” because I take issue with many of the Chinese governments policies. That’s an irrational leap, but what really interests me is Unitalian’s claim that sports transcends boundaries and should certainly transcend prejudices (or in this case, moral disapproval). I’m sure that Unitalian is not alone in believing this: and it is this sentiment exactly that will lead millions of Americans to put aside their moral objections to China’s myriad human rights violations, suck it up, and watch the Olympics, because sports are a unifying force, an opportunity to celebrate “our shared humanity.”

I was absolutely with Unitalian on that point until I thought about it for a long time a few days ago. I was raised in the U.S. of A., where the virtue of participation in sports as either player or fervent spectator is fed us with our Wheaties from the time we’re old enough to hold our first Whiffle ball and toss it in the backyard with Dad.

Now that I’ve thought about it in a non-reflexive way, though… I think, wait… isn’t the whole point of the Olympics for countries to compete against each other — no matter how much athletes demurely protest that really, they’re only competing against themselves? Are you telling me that if Liu Xiang doesn’t take the gold, he and the Chinese people will just be glad they had such a fine contender in the event? Or that Ethiopian viewers won’t be rooting for Tirunesh Dibaba to break her own record yet again and to leave Shalane Flanagan in the dust? What kind of naive sentimentalism would lead any one of us to think such a thing? I live in Boston and daily see what kind of “spirit of shared humanity” sports really creates: such rabid support for our own teams that we regularly and cheerfully demonize players and fans from other cities (did you hear about the Boston fans who started chanting “Yankees suck” at a CELTICS GAME?). I’m not proud of this, but Boston is far from unique. How about the European football fans who get trampled in the melee after games? I don’t think “spirit of shared humanity” when I envision a corpse with crushed windpipe and ribcage after a Barcelona/Madrid match.

Sports gives vent to the most Dionysian energies within individuals and society, and yet is there anything more easily sentimentalized than sports? We love our sports because they allow us to express our wildness and to live vicariously through the demi-gods on the fields. We may experience a transcendent sense of shared humanity with other fans in the heat of the moment, but that’s a fleeting illusion. We’re bonding over a 3-hour game; nothing more, nothing less. I don’t mean to be insulting here, but I would argue that momentary bonding over sports is a very shallow form of experiencing shared humanity; not even as complex as attending the movies with a lively crowd. I’ve watched many a Sox game with whooping, high-fiving, even weeping temporary pals in sports bars but have never, ever felt henceforth called to do something or be something higher or better than I previously was. I like to think that our experiences of real shared humanity would generate some more lasting result than a swelling heart and the excitement of having been there. Please understand that I am not dismissing those feelings; God knows I’m a crier at most public events. But when I watched part of the opening ceremonies yesterday I understood that I was being manipulated to have a swelling heart and a feeling of excitement and sheer human pride. I realized that if I responded with those emotions (as I initially did), I would be capitulating to engineers and designers who worked very hard on behalf of the Chinese government to elicit those reactions from me. Advertising agencies working on behalf of multi-national corporations were also counting on my misty eyes and lumpy throat. It became very clear to me last night that I want to be able to discern between experiences of emotionally manipulative entertainment and authentic moments of shared humanity. Because I believe the opening games was an example of the former, I put away my tissues and changed the channel.

An Olympic gold medal is all about national pride (or even nationalistic pride), millions of dollars in endorsements, and a star athlete or team’s moment alone on the pedestal wrapped in the flag of their own country while their national anthem plays. Winners win, losers lose, and although there are many viewers who root for athletes from other nations (remember the Jamaican bobsled team?) and who generally admire the prowess of all the competitors, the Olympics is about competition. And competition over/against others is most certainly not a religious value. It is not a Jewish value, it is not a Christian value, it is not a Muslim value, it is not a Confucian value or a Buddhist value or value within indigenous religions I’m familiar with, or a value within any other religious tradition I can think of. It was a religious value of the Roman Empire and of the Greeks before them, which is no surprise to anyone (where did the Olympics come from, after all?), but I think those who would finger-wag at me, a Unitarian Universalist minister, for failing to be peace-love & forgiveness about the games are barking up the wrong tree.

I am confident that there are sound ethical and personal reasons for choosing to watch the Olympics and that there are sound ethical reasons for choosing not to watch them. However, I don’t think the argument that we should watch the Olympics because they bring all the participants and viewers into a beautiful experience of shared humanity is a persuasive one.

olympics soldiers

13 Comments »

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  1. That’s not the point, PB. It’s become one though–maybe even the predominant one.

    But the Olympics weren’t (re-)created to provide a venue for nationalistic competition.

    We Americans (and not only us, but we’re about as guilty as any) made it into one, however. So… is boycotting it a form of nationalist expression or not? [How so? If China’s offenses were particularly against Americans, that might make some sense but as they aren’t, it doesn’t. - PB]

    Comment by Patrick McLaughlin — August 9, 2008 #

  2. Its true that sport brings out some ugliness in the human spirit but I would much rather have two people in the boxing ring then two nations killing each other for title of superiority.

    I know that we are not in the cold war and the games to not mean as much in the realm of national one-ups-manship. Though if nations can put their energy into sport rather then bombs there could be hope for a more peaceful future.

    This is just wishful hoping for a better world.

    Comment by Matt — August 9, 2008 #

  3. In an ideal world, the emphasis, and indeed the whole point of the olympics, would be on sportsmanship.

    Sportsmanship: conduct (as fairness, respect for one’s opponent, and graciousness in winning or losing) becoming to one participating in a sport
    -Merriam Webster-

    Unfortunately, the media, and I’m sure all the nationalistic types (from any country) seem to be most concerned with how many medals their country
    will win. Thus, the celebration of sportsmanship is put on the back burner. As an American, would it be so wrong for me to admire, even celebrate, a medal winning performance by an Iranian, Iraqi, Russian, Afghan, etc. athlete? I agree with Patrick McLaughlin that America and other nationalistic countries have made the Olympics into the nationalistic competition that it is today.

    I grew up in the Boston area as a Red Sox fan, so I naturally hated the Yankees. I still feel that bitter taste in my mouth when the Yankees do fare better than the Sox, but I CAN admire a great performance by a Yankee player now, and not feel so bad about doing so. (Reggie Jackson’s 3HR’s in Game 6/1977 World Series comes to mind - just amazing)

    Comment by Jim B. — August 9, 2008 #

  4. You wrote: “And competition over/against others is most certainly not a religious value.”

    Keep in mind that advertising and marketing, which drives the Olympic coverage to the point of saturation IS all about competition. [Yes, I thought that much was obvious by my pointing out that it is in the advertisers’ best interests to manipulate my emotions. - PB]

    Comment by anniesmom — August 9, 2008 #

  5. Patrick M is right to point out that certain countries have over the years transformed the Games into a more nationalistic event.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_Games

    This has been led by the “superpowers” - US, USSR (as it then was) and of course China now. These nations saw the Games as an expression of their ideological virtue. In the UK and smaller countries, I think it is fair to say we have tended to stick to more to the ethos, if only because we can’t compete with the rest!

    I suspect your aversion to the Games has more to do with your issues with your nation’s attitude than the Games themselves. American competitiveness is a central part of the US culture, as being “a good sport” and (because we have to get used to it) “a good loser” is central to the British. Some British games that did not catch on in America are almost anti-competiveness. Try watching a 3 day cricket match for example and maintain your level of excitement!

    You talk about the marketing - did you know live coverage was held back in the US for prime time? - yet in the UK of course there are no adverts and even here in Italy, they were kept to a minimum.

    So I think if you want to criticise sport or the Olympics, you should start at home. I can think of no other activity or event in which the whole world joins in peace, for all its imperfections.

    [I don’t think you’re reading what I write carefully. In my criticism of the Olympics, I *am* focusing on the U.S. pathology around sports, and I did mention the inevitability of being manipulated by American advertisers. I just disagree with you that this is a genuinely “peaceful” event; I think it has increasingly disturbing undertones and is rampant with corruption no matter who’s hosting. I think we also have different definitions of what constitutes “peaceful” and/or positive. Viva la difference. BTW, I watched several of the swimming competitions last night. The coverage is so clinical and technical that at times it threatens to take the thrill out of the sheer awesomeness of those athletes doing what they do. Another bummer aspect of the games! But I’m sure I’ll continue to tune in to this or that event. P.S. Are there any Unitarian fellowships in Italy? How did you get connected to UUism? I would love to visit the Emiglia Romana region… - PB]

    Comment by Unitalian — August 10, 2008 #

  6. “And competition over/against others is most certainly not a religious value.”

    Twaddle. Tell that to the Greeks, [Tracie, do you even read my posts before you go off half-cocked? I specifically made the point that competition is central toRomans and Greek religion. - PB] who held their Games (which, by the way, included poetry and singing and arts competitions, not strictly athletics) in the very shadow of Mt. Olympus and under the watchful eye of the Hellenic Gods and Goddesses, to Whom great performances of strength or endurance or eloquence, etc were dedicated.

    I think of the gold medalist swimmer from Baltimore, young Michael Phelps, who set a new record already in these Games. Had he been an Olypmic competitor of old, he might have dedicated his win to Lord Poseidon.

    Way to go Michael! Njord smile upon you! You worked hard, you trained endless hours, you got up early and made sacrifices of your time (hmmmm….isn’t “sacrifice” a holy word?), and it has paid off! You have won! Glory to YOU, Michael!

    So many people are so afraid of competition and excellence, and it’s like this big politically incorrect thing, to be afraid to be excellent at something. Don’t encourage excellence! Don’t encourage competitiveness!

    Well, I must admit that there are many Asatruar out there who have beliefs that the friction between the primal realms of fire and ice were a competition that led to the formation of all creation. Competition can be fruitful.

    Besides, did not Jacob wrestle with the angel of God in a one-on-one competition, and gained the name “Isra-El” in the process? Even the Judeo-Christian tradition honors competition, and this with a messenger of God Himself. [This is an interesting point. Of course the wrestling wasn’t set up as a competition. We don’t know what it was set up to do. Maybe just give Jacob a good thrashing. - PB]

    Competition, even against another, is not automatically bad or unreligious. In some cases, it is quite religious.

    Sometimes I wonder if the only people who dislike competition are the ones who are afraid they’ll lose. Well, that’s just how life goes sometimes. Ya win some, ya lose some. How can you learn to lose gracefully and how to handle disappointment if there was never any competition?
    [You’ve taken my points totally out of their context and generalized them far beyond any argument I have made. I haven’t said that all competition is bad or wrong. We’re talking specifically about sentimentalizing or glorifying these Olympics in China. - PB]

    Comment by Tracie Holladay — August 10, 2008 #

  7. Oh, and let’s not forget how competitive Charlemagne could be, forcing the Saxons to convert and be baptized at sword’s point; that is one of the ways the Gospel won out over the Heathens in Northern Europe.

    If ya don’t like competition, I’d say give up on Christianity. Being competitive against other people is how it rose to the level of power that it now has. [Yes, but that’s not what the religion is, Tracie, and you know that. -PB]

    Comment by Tracie Holladay — August 10, 2008 #

  8. PB, I think your point about the energy and emotion surrounding sports not being about truly shared humanity is a good one–as is the coinciding point you seem to be making that we should direct at least as much of that energy and emotion towards true shared humanity, something that will call us and the world on to something better. Unfortunately we tend to see this only in large-scale disasters, if at all.

    I noted a similar phenomenon in a sermon this spring when I wondered what would happen if the millions of Americans who had tuned in to the final of American Idol (myself among them) spent the same amount of time working for justice?

    I think that events like the Olympics are, as you argue, orchestrated by organizers, politicians, and advertisers to make us feel a certain way. I think they also serve to highlight the many inequalities and injustices present in our world.

    I will probably tune in for some of my favored events, but will certainly be keeping all of this in mind as I do.

    Comment by Beth B. — August 10, 2008 #

  9. So long as there have been people there has been a kind of us versus them struggle inherent in sports, no matter how much we civilize away its rough edges.

    I think they are helpful inasmuch as they are a pressure release and a safety valve for people. My father, for example, used baseball on television as a way to get out his aggressions by screaming at the opposite team. However, there are people who can’t contain this responsibly and this is where you see people who engage in fights and acts of violence when their chosen team does poorly.

    I’m boycotting the Olympics this time around, if only for the fact that they have, with a few notable examples, been extremely boring affairs which failed to hold my attention.

    Comment by Comrade Kevin — August 10, 2008 #

  10. I suppose that I am more moderate (perhaps leaning towards PB’s side) on this issue. My basis is such:

    The Olympics started out as a religious function, giving thanks to the Hellenistic deities for human strength, bodily perfection, etc. It is true that there were sacrifices and other such religious functions in between events.

    I agree that the original and theoretical purpose of the Olympic Game is to promote peace and unity. However, I think things are not what they appear to be.

    I agree with PB, nations competing against other nations…willing to cheat, steal, or kill to win…is not something that promotes peace and unity. As soon as athletes were harmed or judges bribed…with the sole intention of dominating the Games…the games went to Hell in a hand basket.

    All-in-all…I think the Olympics are an okay event. I think it is nice to see several other nations get together and compete against each other in, what should be, honest and clean fun. I don’t, obviously, approve of the negative actions, behaviors, and emotions displayed at the Games.

    So…there is my scatter-brained moderate statement.

    Blessings to you all, even if we don’t agree!

    +Cody

    Comment by thefutureRev.Cody — August 10, 2008 #

  11. PB. Well, today I’m writing from Belgium… but I ended up in Bologna when my partner, an Italian, found a job there. I’m self-employed and can work wherever I have access to the web (with the exception of irregular visits to London to catch up with clients) so came along with the rest of the baggage… I’m currently in Belgium however because it’s too hot to work in Italy!

    There are NO UUs in italy. It is a UU-less nation, which is almost the whole truth - I have recently come across a Yahoo UU group which occassionally meets up and a London Minister recently mentioned a fledgling congregation in Rome, which I await news about. It’s the only thing I really miss about England. That and the fish and chips.

    I belong to Newington Green & Islington Unitarians , a venerable branch of the family, celebrating its 300th anniversary this year, and led by the inspiring Andrew Pakula, one of your countrymen. [Uni, thanks for writing in with this bio. I was under the impression that there weren’t any UU groups in Italy so was intrigued when you came on the scene — that would be so interesting if a group *did* start in Rome, within holding hands distance of the Vatican. Wouldn’t that be fun? ;-)
    Well, enjoy Belgium for me, lovely place. I remember Brussels very well and also recall riding trains to Bruges and Ghent and getting on the wrong ones. Say hello to the Mannekin Pis for me! Cheers, PB    ]

    Comment by Unitalian — August 11, 2008 #

  12. Yes, PB, it seems I did misunderstand your statement. While it is true that I was half-asleep and probably not all that coherent when I read it, I should have just moved on and not commented until I had a better grasp of the whole context.

    Again, I am very sorry for the misunderstanding.

    :sigh:

    Try, try again…

    Comment by Tracie the Red — August 12, 2008 #

  13. OMG that photo could be titled “welcome to the gates of Hell!”

    Comment by Hank — August 14, 2008 #

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