The Olympics were created twice. Once by the ancient greeks, in an attempt to worship the Greek gods on Olympus with competitions of physical sport, and again in the 20th century in an effort to unite the world. Over time however, the Olympics have become a hotly contested battle for revenue for particular cities in various countries. This is most evident in the recent votes on where the 2016 Olympics would take place. There were many frontrunners, and none more hotly contested than Chicago, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), and a few other cities in Europe and Asia.

Looking at the history of the games, since the 1980s, North America has hosted the Olympics many times:

1980 Winter Games Lack Placid, US
1984 Summer Games Los Angeles, US
1988 Winter Games, Calgary, Canada
1996 Summer Games, Atlanta, US
2002 Winter Games, Salt Lake City, US
2010 Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada

Many Americans took offense to this, whereas other countries felt that it was entirely fair. As well all know by know, Chicago not only did not win, but was eliminated in the first round of voting. So what happened?

I can’t speak to why those particular individuals voted in any particular way, but a lot of people have thrown around certain “speaking topics”. South America has never had the Olympics; while North America has had it half a dozen times in 30 years.  Some people spoke of how resentment against the US is still high after the widely unpopular Presidency of Mr. Bush, from 2000 to 2008. Others indicated that the actual application by Chicago was lacking.

So what does all this mean? Was America insulted? Even with President Obama, does the world still dislike the US so much that we will not have the Olympics, no matter how bad we want it?

I don’t think so. The idea that we should feel slighted or maligned because another country got the Olympics is illogical. We’ll probably get them later, and frankly we have them often enough. The 2010 Olympics are in Canada, which is close enough for anyone interested to make the trek out there.

The Olympics don’t originate in the Muslim world, in any Arab nation, or anything like that, but any events of worldwide unity are something that Islam will definitely advocate. We are facing a worldwide tragedy, in that we are letting borders define whether we consider other people our brothers and sisters in humanity.

All borders are artificial. There is no difference between a person who lives in Maryland or Virginia; there is no difference between a person who lives in the US or Brazil; or China and Russia; or any other set of geographical locations. We are all people, and we are all from God; most assuredly, to Him we will all return.

On the Islamic hajj, all men and women are gathered together, and God orders us to dress similarly, walk in the same direction, back and forth, and in circles, say the same things, pray at the same times in the same places – all in an effort to remind us that we are all the same.

I am from an Indian background, Mr. Obama has a mixed heritage, and the people of Rio De Janeiro are often of Brazilian descent. Let me tell you something though, in the eyes of God – we are all family.

So lets be happy for our Brazillian brothers and sisters, they got something they were hoping for, and hopefully it will help them in some tangible and long lasting way. And if some day, another city gets the Olympics while we wanted it, let’s be happy for them as well. After all, if we get the Olympics again, we’d also want everyone else to be happy for us.

The Quran says:

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YUSUFALI: O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).

Rahat Husain

Executive Director, IIC

UMB Law J.D. 2011