Sports activities Tales for the Sports activities-Averse

My colleague Gisela Salim-Peyer put it bluntly final weekend: “Many ladies love sports activities, however I’m not one among them. I don’t wish to play any sports activities, and I definitely don’t wish to watch.” I’m personally fairly aligned with Gisela right here, however this 12 months, I’m discovering myself invested within the Olympics. Like Gisela, I’m discovering that this worldwide spectacle of athletic excellence could be the exception to my sports-averse rule. Perhaps that’s as a result of the Olympics have a manner of exhibiting us what sports activities must be about: camaraderie, competing with oneself to surpass previous targets and set new ones, and the enjoyment of well-earned success (additionally, nice outfits and glitter).

Consider at present’s e-newsletter as a sports activities reader for the sports-averse or sports-ambivalent. I’ve rounded up a set of Atlantic tales that commemorate what makes athleticism a deeply human endeavor, one which’s value exploring even should you don’t see your self as a “sports activities particular person.”

On the Pleasure of Sports activities

Why I Hate Sports activities however Love the Olympics

By Gisela Salim-Peyer

It’s the one time that feminine athletes get equal billing—however that’s solely a part of the reason.

Learn the article.

A Skeptic Attends the First Trendy Olympics

By Stephanie Bai

The video games didn’t at all times encourage world patriotic fervor.

Learn the article.

Sports activities Are Nice As a result of They’re Pointless

By Arthur C. Brooks

Essentially the most trivial issues can construct the strongest relationships.

Learn the article.

Nonetheless Curious?

Different Diversions

P.S.

I lately requested readers to share a photograph of one thing that sparks their sense of awe on the earth. Heidi A., 27, from Philadelphia, wrote:
“I took this image from the highest of the cable automotive on Mont Blanc in France. The buildings and platforms up there have a captivating combine of normal vacationers like me and critical alpinists. There are units of footprints and teams of alpinists seen within the background of the picture, climbing towards the summit. The opposite vacationers and I clapped when the alpinist within the midground made it again to his buddies, who have been managing his rope from the platform. I used to be blown away not solely by the fantastic thing about the world, but in addition by the folks round me!”

I’ll proceed to function your responses within the coming weeks. When you’d prefer to share, reply to this e mail with a photograph and a brief description so we will share your marvel with fellow readers in a future version of this text or on our web site. Please embody your identify (initials are okay), age, and placement. By doing so, you agree that The Atlantic has permission to publish your picture and publicly attribute the response to you, together with your first identify and final preliminary, age, and/or location that you simply share along with your submission.

— Isabel