The main motive of the Olympic Games is to bring all the nationalities over one game. But when things don’t go as planned, the athletes get demotivated for all the unpleasant reasons. At least, that’s what the former Norwegian Alpine skier thinks, to whom the Olympic Games symbolize a holy platform for inclusivity.
Aksel Lund Svindal is a 2X Alpine Skiing Olympic champion with several laurels in his name. Considering his slope history, he’s regarded as the most decorated skier in Norway. The 2X Olympic gold medalist recalls his native place, Lillehammer hosting the Olympics, in 1994. He still gets goosebumps while reminiscing about how Norwegians welcomed guests from all around the world. But he dropped some bitter truth bombs too.
Olympic Games – not all glittery
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The former skier who’s working on ski resort projects to inspire more youngsters to take part in skiing, has mixed feelings about the Olympics. On one hand, he has acknowledged it to be the ultimate platform, but he has also said, “Sadly, there has been a lot of negativity around the Olympic Games lately.” He further added, “…but I will say that it’s sad and it threatens the possibility and position that the Olympic Games have to show the way and inspire millions of people in a united world.”
He also put his views regarding the challenges of winter sports forward. Talking about the first obstacle, he said, “The first one is maybe obvious as rising temperatures mean less snow; we are all aware.” But he was not particularly content with the exclusivity trend. He believes that instead of uniting, “the world is getting more divided – between countries but also in the local municipalities.” His statements assert that being away from the sport didn’t make him ignorant at all. On a similar note, the 2016 Rio Olympics had infuriated the locals, who hit the streets to protest.
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The negative side of the 2016 Rio Olympics
Several enthusiasts had started believing that the Olympics was an ego boosting fight between powerful and privileged countries, instead of a talent showcasing platform. Besides consistent rifts between the judges, competitors and the governing bodies, the big event disturbs the comfortable as well. Since the governments invest a whopping amount to make the Olympic grounds look aesthetically pleasing, the native people of the country suffer.
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To shed light on this, a local of Rio remarked that the Olympics is “a total con job”. He further reiterated by saying that the world’s foremost sports competition only catered to the foreigners’ needs. Commented, “come here and enjoy it all, while Brazilians bear the consequence of the government not spending on education, healthcare or sanitation.” Keeping everything in mind, Aksel Lund Svindal is waiting for 2024 to see better administration this time.
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