The Stade de France’s stands are empty, but memories of the 2024 Paris Olympics remain fresh. The two-week extravaganza represented an exhibition of athleticism, perseverance, and, most importantly, joy.
In a world burdened by division, the Games offered a reminder of sports’ unifying power. Athletes from across the globe competed and celebrated the spirit of play. While all the Olympians were stars, some shone brighter than others, including Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles, and Suni Lee on the U.S. Women’s Gymnastics team and the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team.
The U.S. Women’s Gymnastics team captivated the world with its performances. Led by seasoned veterans and promising newcomers, the team didn’t just dominate; they competed with a sense of elation and camaraderie that resonated with fans. Their routines displayed physical prowess combined with artistic expression, with smiles and laughter shared between teammates and competitors. In a moment of sportsmanship, Biles and Chiles presented flowers to Brazil’s Rebecca Andrade, who won the gold medal in the floor event. This joy amid intense competition was fundamental to how the two gymnasts approach the sport.
Similarly, burdened by unfulfilled expectations, the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team approached the Olympic tournament with a philosophy centered on the “love of the game.” Their coach’s emphasis on playing with joy became a rallying cry for the team. In post-match interviews, the coach repeatedly stressed that the key to their success was not technical skill or tactical acumen but the ability to find delight in the game and to remember why the athletes fell in love with soccer in the first place. This mindset allowed the team to perform freely and creatively, dazzling audiences while subduing opponents.
The focus on joy at these Olympic Games represents more than a feel-good narrative; it reflects a deeper understanding of what makes sports meaningful. At their core, sports represent more than winning or losing. They teach valuable life lessons about the bonds forged between teammates and the sheer exhilaration of competition. This joy is what draws us to sports as spectators and participants and what makes moments like the Paris 2024 Olympics so memorable.
This joy should not be confined solely to elite athletes on the world’s biggest stage. It must be accessible to all, particularly our youth, who are just beginning to explore the world of sports through play.
Here is where the work of the Coalitions for Sport Equity becomes crucial. This national network of coalitions and intermediaries works with hundreds of grassroots, BIPOC-led organizations in major cities across the U.S., including Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, Oklahoma City, Oakland, and Philadelphia. Organizations like the Play Equity Fund, King County Play Equity Coalition, PCA, Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative, and Laureus Sport for Good Chicago organize, advocate for, and expand access to sports for kids in under-resourced communities. The joy of play is a right, not a privilege.
In an era where access to sports is increasingly dictated by socioeconomic status and funding decisions that eliminate not just sports but play and movement from public schools, the Coalitions for Sport Equity’s mission is more important than ever. How can kids find the “joy of play” when barriers to play keep them on the sidelines or out of the game entirely?
Grassroots programs supported by the Coalitions for Sport Equity represent the bedrock of this athletic pipeline. These sport-based youth development organizations, school programs, and local recreation leagues can also create the next generation of aspiring Olympic athletes. Even for most of us who never make it to the Olympics, the lessons learned and the joy experienced through playing sports are invaluable. Sports build confidence, create community, and foster a lifelong appreciation for physical activity.
As we celebrate Team USA’s achievements at the Paris Olympics, we should also recognize the importance of ensuring that all children have the chance to experience the same joy that these athletes experienced. The Coalitions for Sport Equity focuses not only on creating future champions but it also highlights the need for play equity – enriching lives and building communities through the universal language of sports.
Through the joy of play, the spirit of the Olympics can live on long after closing ceremonies in communities across America…if we prioritize sports as essential for the lifelong well-being of our children.
Renata Simril is president and CEO of the LA84 Foundation.
