Rio 2016: Chasing Gold, And The Accessibility Of The Middle Class…

With the closing ceremony of The 2016 Rio Summer Olympic Games now left only in memory, we as a world have undoubtedly each paused and reflected on the heartfelt nature and significance of the last two weeks, as what resonated deep within us all, was a collective celebrated meaning of hope, drive, unshrinking will, and an unwavering devotion to a sportive calling that lends an immeasurable sense of heightened purpose to each our being. A calling within of which transcends innumerable odds, and one that leaves the most intrepid of athletes a victor at once in the eyes of their community and nation, for making it to the highest level of competition that is the Olympic stage.

The athlete’s story is our story, one that connects us all, yet too, it is one that is intimately connected to the scope of a nation’s economy as it relates to accessibility as well, with some albeit little impact from population density.

The story within the story of medal counts that traditionally accelerate within the same handful of countries each Olympiad, is certainly one steeped in the riveting emotional drama of glory and sacrifice, however as well, such glory also has in large part to do with the advent of an emergent middle-class in those nations. Such economic standing inextricably bridges accessibility, accessibility to the income and resources necessary to most effectively secure training, facilities, equipment, travel, health management, even the nourishment and calorie levels associated with developing a growing champion.

To further illustrate this, the official top five medal standings are below:

United States – 121 medals (46 gold), 3rd most populated country in the world – 51 percent middle class

Great Britain – 67 medals (27 gold), 21st most populated country in the world – 48 percent middle class

China – 70 medals (26 gold), most populated country in the world – 70 percent of urban population middle class

Russia – 56 medals (19 gold), 9th most populated country in the world – 26.5 percent middle class

Germany – 42 medals (17 gold), 17th most populated country in the world – 48 percent middle class

The company of the above medal winners have traditionally remained steady Olympic victors, with their anthems heard far more than others around the world. A point of distinction to highlight too, is that the top two medal holders are also the two most diverse on the list, which invariably creates a wider scope of sporting possibilities in which a nation can compete and secure an even more sizable edge.

The unspoken side to the growth of a nation, and ultimately the growth of its middle class, is that far more often than not, somewhere along the line, other nations less stronger than their own, its people, and its resources, are marginalized and dismissed per exploitative socio-environmental gains to help ensure the pipeline of products and services into the import country and its markets. No country in the developed world has ever traditionally been able to structure themselves without aggressively pulling rather unregulated resources out of those nations to get them there.

Of course, this ultimately holds developing nations back from establishing their own middle class structures in the process, which makes the story of the athlete that rises out of a stacked-deck of marginalism in a desperate low-income nation, to Olympic fame, to be one that the voices of the impoverished world can all deeply relate and rejoice to, and hopefully one that we as well in the developed world can learn to respect, appreciate, and even help to one day change. An understanding that while we rightfully and joyously celebrate our Ohio champions, national champions, and all that they and their families have sacrificed, we may also recognize, be grateful and thankful for, the unique lottery of life that has placed us squarely in the advantages we have today, and yet be ever-mindful of, and reach back to, the rest of the world that we often unknowingly benefit from, in ways that continue to increase our ability to thrive on the world stage.

Davidione Pearl

Freelance writer, musician, photographer, and philanthropic traveler.

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Volume 8, Issue 9, Posted 9:12 AM, 09.02.2016