National victory

   When Canadian hockey hero Wayne Gretzky ran through rain-soaked streets to light the 2010 Winter Olympics cauldron, 32 million viewers watched an opening ceremony with a touching tribute, a virtual ice floor and even a giant space bear. During the Parade of Nations, countrymen and women proudly waving their flags, announced to the world they had arrived and were ready to dominate their competition.

   Described as a globally unifying event, the Olympics are anything but. They are the ultimate bragging right. The only thing that matters is the final medal count. Seeing their country's flag raised above others and hearing their national anthem brings grown men to tears. I don't cheer for the world. I cheer for the United States of America.

   I watch the Winter and Summer Olympics every four years, but I don't watch events thinking about unity and peace. I watch hoping that the Russians will fall while figure skating. Just one slip is enough to lose a place on the podium. Or maybe the gymnast from China will mess up the landing. A faultless landing can make the difference between victory and defeat.

   Seeing the U.S. Men's Swim Team beat the heavily favored French team in the 4x100 meter freestyle in 2008 made me proud. To defeat the No. 1 team by less than a tenth of a second was awe inspiring. And though it occurred nine years before I was born, I still feel a sense of pride whenever anyone brings up the 1980 Miracle on Ice when the college-aged Men's U.S. Hockey team overcame the dominant Soviet Union.

   Most countries make it known that they're in it to win and leave their citizens feeling accomplished. Titled Operation Gold, the U.S. Olympic Committee offers a bonus incentive of $25,000 to any athlete who brings home a gold medal, $15,000 for silver and $10,000 for bronze. Other countries participate in similar programs, promising cash for success.

   It looks like Canada's Own the Podium program succeeded when Alexandre

 Bilodeau won the first home gold medal. But Canada is driving for a crucial gold medal: Men's Hockey. Word is out that if Canada does not win gold in Men's Hockey, their entire Olympics will have failed.

   China goes so far as to conscript athletically superior children and enroll them in sports schools focused on training rather than education. Their lives become the sport. They're only allowed to leave when the Chinese government says so.

   Who can blame a country for wanting their athletes to succeed? Just one gold medal can raise the spirits of a nation and seem to make all its problems dissolve.

   In a time of war and economic uncertainty, the Olympics are necessary for Americans to come together and cheer for a common goal. We've come to defeat the world. With our miniature flags, painted faces and chants of "USA", we'll be louder than any other nation. We want it bad and you'll know it from our screams.