Staff Reports
In an age where the spotlight often shines as brightly off the field as it does on it, athletes like Amber Glenn and Eileen Gu illustrate a troubling shift in focus. The Olympics, a time-honored tradition meant to showcase national pride and athletic excellence, has in some cases become a stage for personal agendas and divisive commentaries. This story highlights the difference between committing to the mission of representing one’s country and letting personal politics overshadow public duty.
Amber Glenn’s insistence on promoting her political beliefs over her athletic performance is a clear example of how the focus has shifted from the ice to social issues. As a figure skater, her primary role was to perform and make her country proud on the world stage. But instead, the narrative became about her sexual identity and perceived injustices in the United States. Unfortunately, when it comes to representing the red, white, and blue, this deviation from the athletic mission to lecture the nation on alleged grievances does little to unite a diverse audience.
The result of Amber’s performance wasn’t a gold medal for her individual event, but rather a thirteenth place finish—an outcome perhaps reflective of her divided focus. It appears that Americans, who generally rally behind their athletes in spirit and support, turned away from Glenn. When the spotlight was on her performance, she faltered, grappling not with the weight of American flag she was supposedly representing, but rather the weight of her own rhetoric.
In a parallel narrative, Eileen Gu, trading allegiance for financial gain, opted to represent China despite her American upbringing. This choice underscores a troubling trend where national loyalty can be seen as a commodity, and principled stands on international issues are bypassed for personal gain. Eileen’s refusal to address China’s human rights record is telling, aligning her more with a corporate spokesperson than a representative for the aspirational Olympic spirit.
Both athletes, while talented in their respective fields, have cultivated a reputation not for their medal counts, but for their personal agendas that overshadow their sporting achievements. In stark contrast, other athletes have demonstrated grace under pressure and unwavering dedication to their country’s cause, never allowing personal tribulations or triumphs to divert from the honor of representing the nation.
This divergence from the Olympic purpose serves as a cautionary tale—where the personal podium can overshadow the global stage. Competing in the Olympics is not merely about individual accomplishment but is inherently a collective endeavor that speaks to national pride and communal values. Athletes like Glenn and Gu would do well to remember that the world isn’t watching to hear about personal battles or inflated self-worth; they’re watching to witness feats of human athleticism and the honor of wearing their nation’s colors proudly, without distraction.
