I was first introduced to the Olympics Games back in the summer of 2008 during the Beijing Olympics when I was only 8 years old. These were the first Olympics I can consciously remember watching, and they were one of my favorite Games ever. Following the legendary performance of Michael Phelps, a fellow Marylander, like me, was simply incredible; and I remember being so excited as a little boy watching him win gold medal after gold medal. Being only 8 years old at the time, I did not understand what the games were truly about, but over the years I started to gain a better understanding of how special this event is and how much work goes into making it a reality. The Olympic Games are like no other event in the world. People from across the globe banding together every 4 years to celebrate sport and humanity is simply a beautiful thing. I am so grateful I was able to witness the Olympic Games here in Paris this summer, and I can’t wait to be a part of future games.
Having the opportunity to be a member of this class in Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games has been a dream come true, and I feel honored to have been a part of this experience. Getting to hear from the people who help make the Olympics possible was remarkable, and I am looking forward to taking what I have learned with me as I pursue a career in sports upon graduation from the GW MSSM program this Fall. It has been such a privilege to be a part of these Olympics, and I feel immense gratitude to those who have helped me get to this point so far. Being able to deepen my understanding of the Olympic Movement over the course of this experience has been so rewarding and I can’t wait to learn even more about the Olympic Games in the future. The 2024 Paris Olympic Games were simply unforgettable, and being able to share this moment in history with everyone was extremely special. As the world grapples with forces trying to divide us, the Olympics teaches us an important lesson that when we come together, we can accomplish anything. Thank you to everyone for making my first Olympic Games so wonderful, and I hope to see everyone in Los Angeles in 2028!
