After watching hours and hours of the Olympic coverage the past week, I have noticed and enjoyed several cultural differences between how all of the countries handle the pressure, the publicity, the wins and the losses. One thing is clear: the smile is universal.
Everyone has different styles of congratulating or consoling their teammates—be it the Chinese version of the double high-five (very stiff and tent-like), or the Russian version of the embrace (a rather formal hug), or the European countries' version of the double cheek kiss, or the American version of the fist pump (we saw Phelps doing this all week)—but one thing unites them all.
The smile.
When the competitor learns they are in the lead, or is proud of the performance they've just delivered, the smile tells it all.
Some spread slowly across the face of the athlete and some smiles simply burst to the surface and radiate pure joy. Some can hardly be detected even with a camera close-up and some are visible from across the court/field/gym/arena. But, when all is said and done, the smile is the one gesture that seemingly links the entire world.
Isn't it gratifying to know that in a world of conflict, pain, upheaval and fear that something as simple as some facial muscles moving can give you goose bumps and restore your faith in humanity?
I feel like a Coke commercial.
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