Why the Olympics Should Be More Often

By Alyssa Weil
          Don't you love it when the Olympics are finally on and you get to cheer for your country’s team? Ever gotten impatient for waiting so long and wanted the Games to come around more often than every four years? Well, this article will convince many that the Games need to be more frequent. The Olympics should occur every other year because it makes the world a better place to live in, gives athletes more chances to participate, and entertains millions of people.

              The Olympics should occur more often because it makes the world a better place. Competing in the Games brings together athletes of the world in a great sports festival; promoting peace, friendship, and fair play.(1) There is huge value in the Games, especially in regards to troubles the world faces. For instance, in Beijing before the 2008 Games, pollution was terrible, but when they had to host the Olympics, it motivated China to clean it up.(7) Also, the London mayor said after the 2014 Games, “The winning, planning, and legacy of hosting the Olympic Games has made the UK stand out and shine.”(3) These are all the reasons how the Olympics improves the environment.

                Hosting the Games every other year would provide more athletes the opportunity to participate. In the 2014 Games 13,000 athletes competed, but if it was held more often, the numbers could be doubled. The chances of becoming an Olympian is about one in 200 million! This is an extremely low chance, but it could be more likely to happen if the Olympics were more frequent. Also, if an athlete messes up in one Olympics, they could have another shot at winning in the next Games. Randy Stoklos, a professional beach volleyball player, was trying out for the Olympics, but he got injured.(5) It was his only chance to participate in the Olympics, because by the time the next Games came around, Stoklos was too old. Shaun White said after losing badly in the 2014 Games, “I’ve thought about returning plenty of times, I’m happy I’m moving on. It didn’t ruin my entire career but tonight was definitely a disappointment.” White is also too old to compete in the next Olympics but he could if the Games were in only two years.(2) These are all reasons that if the Games were more often, more athletes could participate.

                   Last but not least, the Olympic Games should be every other year because they’re entertaining! The world focuses on something positive for two weeks, and much of the negativity in the news is silenced by loud cheering. (1) Here in the US, people across the country get so into the Games, that we often we forget there are millions in other countries following their athletes and cheering on their fellow countrymen and women just as hard as we are cheering for ours. (1)The Opening Ceremony is awesome, with the unique performances and the greeting of the athletes.  A reporter from the New York Times said about the ceremony, “Tonight, creators successfully intertwined meaning with special effects and local culture with visual displays, all while unveiling a show that delicately touched on American patriotism.”(9)

For the technical stats, an average of 21.4 million viewers watched the Sochi Games in prime time, but NBC wants more, which can be achieved by hosting the Games more often.

                   These are all my reasons why the Olympic Games should alternate between Winter & Summer every year rather than every two years. It entertains people across the globe, encourages countries to make their country a better environment, and gives more athletes a chance to participate. So we should definitely convince people the Games need to be more often!