The 2018 Olympic Winter Games are well underway and fans are watching athletes go for the gold in their respective sports. Skiing, figure skating, hockey, curling and many other competitions will take place before the closing ceremony in a couple of weeks. While it is enjoyable to watch athletes compete for a spot on the podium, no one should forget that 91 nations will be represented at these Olympic Games, bringing the world together.
Foreign policy disputes happen frequently in the world we live in today. For example, consider North and South Korea. The two nations have been in conflict since before the end of the Korean War in 1953. They have remained split and the Korean Demilitarized Zone is a reality. For decades, the two nations have exchanged all sorts of weapons, from propaganda to artillery fire.
At the opening ceremony last Friday, Korea was united once again. The North and South Korean athletes agreed to march together under one flag during the Parade of Nations. This flag was not dominated with designs of the Northern or Southern flags but rather by a single blue Korean peninsula on a white background. South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Kim Yo- jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, shook hands twice. Seeing this unification of hands between nations give everyone hope that a peaceful resolution is still possible.
We, The Index Editorial Board, think it is extraordinary how the friendly competition of the Olympics can bring nations from various parts of the world together. People from different nations cheer on their countries with no animosity toward one another because it is in the spirit of a sporting competition. This applies to our community at Truman State University, as we have a diverse community of international students. We all might come from different backgrounds, but we are united in our goal to pursue a quality education. Pickler Memorial Library’s flag display emphasizes this point. Fifty flags representing all of the nations of the international students hang side by side in a harmonious row.
We, The Index Editorial Board, think sporting events like the Olympics serve as a great example of uniting people from various backgrounds. Foreign matters are set aside in favor of two weeks of good-natured competition. The level of controversy is never too large for the spirit of sport.
When you watch athletes from your respective nations accomplish incredible feats at the Winter Olympics, think about how rare it actually is to see so many different nations gathered in one place.