The 2024 Olympics: Globalism, Nationalism, and the Curious Case of Puerto Rico
"Citius, Altius, Fortius Communiter" is the motto of the Olympic games, which translates to "Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together."
The 2024 Summer Olympics were just held in Paris. The games raise various questions that should be pondered.
Are the Olympics globalist or nationalist in nature?
On the one hand, most of the world participates and there is plenty of globalist rhetoric accompanying the Olympics.
On the other hand, the games promote nationalism and competition among nations. Check out the medal count chart.
Take Europe, for example.
There is no European Union Olympics team. But there is a German team, an Italian team, a French team, etc. Their athletes are proud to compete for their countries.
There were some disgusting things in the opening ceremonies this year, that’s for sure.
And what about the rendition of John Lennon’s "Imagine"? It’s been performed at previous Olympics ceremonies.
In the song, Lennon sings of “no heaven… no hell… no countries… no possessions."
So if there were no religion, countries, or possessions, there would be peace on earth? Really? There'd be nothing else to fight over?
Think of the history of the 20th century, during which atheistic communist regimes fought wars against each other.
Nor did Millionaire Rock Star John Lennon give away his possessions!
In Poland, an Olympics commentator was suspended for pointing out that "Imagine" is “a vision of communism."
You’d think that, given the history of Poland, that wouldn’t be controversial.
Did you know that some of the countries competing in the Olympics are not independent nations but territories of other countries?
Three U.S. territories have their own Olympic teams: American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico is a U.S. Caribbean territory that some want to make a state.
All its residents are U.S. citizens, but in many aspects it functions as an independent country.
Puerto Rico sends its own contestants to international beauty pageants.
Also, since 1948, Puerto Rico has sent its own team to the Summer Olympics (and most Winter Olympics), competing under the Puerto Rican flag, not the U.S. flag.
In 1980, when the U.S. boycotted the Moscow Olympics in protest of the invasion of Afghanistan, the Puerto Rican Olympic team made a special point to go to Russia and compete.
Over the years, Team Puerto Rico has won a total of 10 Olympic medals.
When a Puerto Rican Olympian wins a gold medal, which has occurred twice, "La Borinqueña" is played – not "The Star-Spangled Banner."
At the 2024 Olympics, Puerto Rico's team had 51 members, bigger than most independent countries at the games.
This time, Puerto Rico won two medals. They were won by the two athletes who bore the Puerto Rican flag on a boat on the Seine river during the opening ceremony.
Sebastian Rivera won a bronze in men’s freestyle wrestling, in the 65 kilogram (143.3 pounds) class.
Jasmine Camacho-Quinn won a bronze medal in the women’s 100 meter hurdles. She won gold in that event in the previous Olympics.
Though the two medalists competed for Puerto Rico, neither was raised there.
Rivera was raised in New Jersey, trained and competed as a wrestler in the United States mainland. Then he started to compete for Puerto Rico.
Jasmine Camacho-Quinn was raised in South Carolina.
She is the daughter of black American hurdler James Quinn and black Puerto Rican sprinter/long jumper Maria Milagros Camacho. Jasmine’s brother, Robert Quinn, has played in the NFL for many years. It’s an athletic family.
In Spanish-speaking countries, two surnames are used, one from each parent.
In that style, Jasmine would write her surnames "Quinn Camacho." However, as a Puerto Rican competitor she uses “Camacho-Quinn," with the Spanish surname first.
The long history of the Puerto Rican Olympic team is one evidence of the strength of the island's nationalism.
Culturally, it’s another country. We need to recognize that.
Puerto Ricans feel their identity very strongly. Even athletes who weren’t raised on the island want to compete for Puerto Rico.
Not only do I oppose Puerto Rican statehood, but I support Puerto Rican independence.
It would be better for both of our countries.
You can find more of Allan Wall's work at his website and Mexico News Report.
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