The 2022 Athletissima, held in the scenic city of Lausanne, Switzerland, was more than just another stop on the Diamond League circuit; it was a breath of fresh air that perhaps the sporting world hasn't enjoyed in a long time. On August 26, 2022, athletes from various corners of the world came together to compete in one of the most picturesque settings. But what made it exceptional wasn't just the excellence in sportsmanship, but how it subtly challenged the oversaturated politically charged atmosphere that seems to follow sporting events these days. Where else do we ever find ourselves watching elite athletes compete without being bombarded with lectures on climate change, social justice catchphrases, or political slogans clutching at every corner of the stadium? Not in Lausanne that night, that's for sure.
Number one: Staging! It's hard to argue that any backdrop could rival the stunning beauty of Lake Geneva with the Alps in the distance. The ambiance itself was enough to remind us of what sports should be all about—the sheer thrill of competition in settings that celebrate nature's impeccable design, not a soapbox for celebrities with more virtue signals than victories. This was an event where athletes were just allowed to, you know, be athletes. Imagine that!
Number two: The stars showed up and shone brighter than the liberal agenda. Eyes turned to the spectacular performances of athletes like Kenyan Olympics legend Faith Kipyegon who reaffirmed her status as one of the world's best middle-distance runners. Or Swiss sensation Mujinga Kambundji, who gave her home crowd something to roar about in the sprint heats. Their feats were awe-inspiring and served to remind us that determination and skill are things to be celebrated, not used as a platform for endless pontification and division.
Number three: Spectator spirit was refreshingly focused on athletics, not theatrics. Unlike what you might see at certain other events, the focus was back where it belonged—on the participants. Fans gathered to cheer, not jeer, and thank the heavens that no speech was carelessly interspersed with ill-advised political monologues. That breath of fresh air thing, again!
Number four: An event that brings people together in competition stands against polarizing ideologies. At Athletissima, it’s really about breaking records and personal bests rather than the bank for being the loudest voice in divisive debates. It was heartening to see participants and fans engaging in sporting celebration rather than chanting mantras divorced from reality. Even if for an evening, we were a world united in appreciation for talent, rather than an ever-growing list of grievances.
Number five: The high-level organization was deserving of accolades. Well-orchestrated events have become scarce as political correctness often leads to organizational paralysis and dire inconveniences, but the Swiss know how to keep their athletic happenings punctual, precise, and pristine. The smoothly run meet ensured that the athletes could showcase their talents under optimal conditions—which is what these athletes train their entire lives for. The list ran like the Swiss trains—or Athletissima's showcase races—without a hitch.
Number six: Diversity was natural, not performative. You got a taste of the global attraction of track and field without having to suffer through a contrived narrative that paints brokenness instead of celebrating diversity. Athletes from all backgrounds came together to compete based on merit, pure and simple. And that’s what real diversity looks like. This meet was fortuitously free from a calculated virtue parade, yet diversity was as palpable as ever.
Number seven: The Athletissima stood firm as a sanctuary from narratives that have hijacked sports. In a world where most events are eager to tout all kinds of statements at every opportunity, this meet offered a pure, simple joy in athletics devoid of unsolicited political context. Perhaps that’s because it understands something profoundly clear: audiences tune in for sports, not soliloquies.
Number eight: After the pandemic, Athletissima was a call to renewed enthusiasm and human achievement. The tactical races and photo-finish sprints resembled a world yearning to rediscover its potential. 2022 Athletissima was not merely a rehearsal of previous victories, but a reminder that athletic excellence should never take a back seat to any other agenda.
Number nine: Primetime drama on the track yielded real-life heroes, not media-made martyrs. The Men's 200 meters showdown, the Women’s 800 meters classic, the grueling but glorious 5000 meters provided unforgettable moments. These were the kinds of standoffs and spectacles that you remember for how they define athletes—not the cluttered issues that never belonged there in the first place.
Ten: The 2022 Athletissima is not just an ideal; it’s a torch. It symbolizes what the sporting universe should strive to regain—a focus on athletic valor that transcends politics, not one that gets lost within it. Lausanne reminded us all that sometimes, just sometimes, it’s about the speed of the races, the height of the jumps, the precision of the javelins, and nothing else.
Lausanne 2022 became an essential lesson in how sports might serve as an antidote to the spiraling culture that sports can only seem important when tethered to some grand yet divisive narrative.