By: Charles Hartley
The world is changing, but in some ways it stays the same.
The ocean waves crash every day and the sand is still there, as if it has been there forever. The beach was there before we were born, it has been there while we are alive, and it will be there long after we are gone. The hydrangeas that bloom on the beach in summer are especially charming.
And every four years, in one of life's most powerful traditions, our incredible Olympic swimmers travel somewhere to compete against other elite athletes from around the world for gold, silver and bronze medals. We cheer. We cry.
But that's not all. There's something else you don't know that connects us all the way back to 1971.
In a recent interview, Olympian Katie Grimes She said her coaches encourage her to have a Coke after long races because it gives her a quick energy boost, and she likes to drink Coke.
Katie's drink after the race is a Coke. Across America, and many other places too, Coke is the drink of today, and tomorrow, and yesterday. It's a timeless tonic.
And it was an important part of our lives when the timeless TV commercial “I Want to Teach the World to Sing” came out, with the message that drinking Coke brings us all together in “perfect harmony.” Check out this classic classic:
Like the Olympics, the song is about people like Katy drinking Coke all over the world, and how it's a ritual that goes deeper than just having a drink. It's an act of solidarity and like-mindedness, which is what the Olympics are all about.
In this time of global turmoil, isn't it wonderful that we can all take solace in watching Olympic swimmers and other brilliant, courageous athletes compete with dignity and without conflict? The Olympics bring order and joy amidst chaos.
I was touched when I read the lyrics of this song today.
“I want to see the world once.
They are all standing together, holding hands.
Hear the sounds echoing through the hills
For peace throughout the country.”
Ah, yes, peace.
Not just across America or Paris, but everywhere around the world.
Everyone is drinking coke with Katie.
All of this got me thinking about this simple, sacred act of having a drink after a long test of endurance like the 1500m freestyle that Katie swims, about the fluids we need to quench our thirst, and about the fact that Coke and other drinks are all around us.
Isn't it good to know that? It makes me more grateful for life.
I too appreciate the exploration we are about to embark on. There are hundreds of sodas available other than Coke, but I was curious to see what would happen if Olympic swimmers started drinking different sodas after their races and what they would be like. As competitors, it makes sense that they would want crushed orange, crushed grapes, crushed grapefruit.
They want to crush their race, all races, the fear of pain, the doubt in their hearts, the Olympics. They want to crush the dragon of defeat and despair.
Others may choose Mountain Dew Live Wire, Mountain Dew Code Red, or Mountain Dew Voltage.
Every swimmer wants energy and high voltage because that's how they'll set personal bests and win medals.
Even if it's not true, I think it's appropriate. Bobby Finke Drinking surges because he surges at the end of the 1500 and 800 freestyle to turn things around and win the gold medal at the end, he could easily be named Bobby Surge Finke.
No matter what our swimmers drink, we want them to be in perfect harmony with their teammates and competitors wherever they are. We want them to demonstrate sportsmanship and integrity and strive for greatness because that's what Americans do.
And afterwards we all had coke.
With Katie.
About Charles Hartley
Charles Hartley is a freelance writer based in Davidson, North Carolina. He has a Master's in Journalism and a Master's in Business Administration.
