The Olympics: One Step Towards Tranquility

Every four years, the eyes of the world focus themselves upon one city. Located in South Korea, this year’s Winter Olympics drew the attention of many due to its locale. Many speculated whether the games would be amicable ones, yet so far they have. Situated in a peninsula shrouded in turmoil, the games have been regarded as an odd one. Whether it be the barring of Russia due to its “systemic manipulation” of anti-doping rules, the absence of NHL players competing for Team USA over a financial dispute with the International Committee, or even the mind-boggling fawning of Kim Yo-Jong, the sister of the North Korean dictator, these years games are more than just wintry entertainment.

In spite of this, the Olympics still manages to house 3,000 athletes and 100,000 fans per day. The tensions in Pyeongchang seem to not have halted cordiality. But more importantly, on the geopolitical stage, the games have not deterred peace, yet more precisely promoted it. This year, athletes from the two Koreas marched together in a display of possible hope for the citizens of the embattled countries. With the last year cloaked by a nuclear shadow, perhaps the first step towards diplomacy has been this Winter’s Olympics. The world has seemingly hushed for the events, casting an eerie yet calming presence over South Korea.

Vice President Mike Pence was slated to meet with North Korean diplomats, but was eventually cancelled. Typically a cancelled meeting would raise eyebrows, but the mere fact that the North Koreans were, at one point, willing to meet the U.S., is a huge step toward tranquility. Some may argue it’s due to the global pressure put on by the Olympic Games. But all of us can agree this is a step in the right direction.

Right now in Pyeongchang, there is one language being spoken. And it’s the language of sport. It’s a uniting voice- a voice that soothes divisions and rivalries. The job isn’t finished, but I believe events like the Olympics are one step toward peace.

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