As American As Men's Gymnastics

Unlike many young, indignant Americans, I am extremely proud of my country.

Tonight, i talked with my mom on the phone and watched Men's gymnastics. First, i'm not sure if four year old perceptions are simply too old to say i even truly comprehended anything or if the sport has simply changed a great deal in that time, but there was something incredible about it all. Often times i found myself sitting completely still and holding my breath until whole routines were finished.

After the American Men's team was finished performing or whatever, the feed cut to a young women, Natalie Coughlin, who had just won the 100m backstroke and qualified for the 200m freestyle event. After a congenial interview, there was a replay of the of her standing on a podium with another American and a German, i think, and quietly mouthing the words to The Star-Spangled Banner. Her hair was still wet from her earlier swim and holding a bouquet with shaky hands, she kept back her tears. I looked at her high cheek bones, perfect teeth, and blue eyes (all, to me, undeniably mid-western characteristics) and felt proud and happy. As the song came to an end, and she no longer had any words to quietly recite, she began to cry, wave, and smile, and for a brief moment I felt my throat get tight, and thought that i might cry along with her.

I'm not sure what it was exactly that made me feel so goddamn good about watching this young woman achieve something so great; i'm not sure it needs to be much more than that. I know there was a sense of unity, though; something that made me, and her, and all the athletes that compete under the United States, and every other american, connected. It happened later, too, after the feed cut back to the American Men's gymnastics team celebrating after winning a bronze medal. They all jumped around and hugged each other, and chanted 'U.S.A.' as coaches and teammates ruffled their hair and kissed their heads. In the audience, a young man who evidently couldn't compete, was clapping and intermittently wiping tears from his massive face by nuzzling it into his massive arms.

I'm sure the reasons for my emotional response tonight are complex, but simply, i was proud to be an American. I felt identifiable and good. I am always vaguely proud in this way, but this sensation was so acute and direct that it was altogether overwhelming. Thank God that this feeling was quickly nullified by a member of the men's gymnastics teams repeatedly shouting into the camera, "that's how we role!" Any sentimentality, at this point, was quickly put to rest.