Open Court: Those moments of inspiration

What is it that makes the Olympics so captivating?

Some critics will argue that the Olympics aren’t captivating at all. They insist that the two-week extravaganza is style over substance. The ideals upon which these games were founded have been overwhelmed and corrupted by soap opera storylines and crass consumerism.

These critics are also the types of people who attempt to argue that corporations like Starbucks are destroying small businesses while chugging a triple-soy, nonfat venti latte.

In other words, they are hypocrites.

Every four years, we’re supposed to drop the nonsense and enjoy sports together. Does NBC go a little overboard with the human-interest stories and slick packaging? Yes, which gives the network something in common with every media entity that covers any major event.

Meanwhile, the world is given a glimpse at some of the most talented and skilled competitors we don’t typically see on a day-to-day basis.

At some point, someone — whether it’s a track star or a spectacular gymnast or any number of other athletes — will achieve something we’ve never seen before.

Unfortunately, these moments will get overblown and run into the ground. They’ll get sent through the hype gauntlet and return disfigured. It’ll give hack columnists and commentators a chance to aim for that elusive Pulitzer while sucking the fun out of that moment for all of us.

But here’s the beautiful part: We don’t need to watch or listen to that part. That part doesn’t need to exist if we don’t want it to. We can just enjoy these moments for what they are — remarkable achievements that take us for a ride and remind us why we started following sports in the first place.

Watching the Olympics is a lot like searching for that perfect concert-going experience.

I see a lot of bands. During any given month, I’ll probably see five or six different shows, depending on who’s coming through town and how much money I’ve stashed away in my bank account.

Most of the bands I see fall into that “pretty good, but not mind-blowing” category — harmless diversions, but not awe-inspiring spectacles.

Why do I keep going? Because every once in a while, a night like last Saturday will happen.

The Hold Steady — hands down, my favorite band still touring — came through Tucson and put on a blistering 90-minute set. Under most circumstances, I tend to carry myself like a composed adult. This band had me shouting every word to every song and dancing like I had no control over my limbs. My girlfriend was probably mortified, but I didn’t care.

Whether it’s rock music or sports or life or whatever, we slog through the mediocre for those occasional moments of inspiration. They’re few and far between, but they’re out there, as long as you’re willing to look for them.

nprevenas@gvnews.com | 547-9747