Post by Kevin Baron

Quad God! Breezy! Lillis! I so enjoyed hearing three Team USA gold medal Olympians today describe the enormous political pressures they face off the ice and snow — and the very different ways they think about navigating them. I had a nice sidebar conversation with downhill champ Breezy Johnson, who saw right through opportunistic journalists who try to get a viral quote. She described feeling they hand athletes up “on a platter” for outrage from far more powerful political leaders. There are unseen consequences, like security concerns and death threats. I agree. I started @elevationlive because we need a better way to engage and there is a deeper, more accurate, and more important story to tell about the power and influence of global sport. Soundbytes are no match for systems. Freestyler Chris Lillis became a global news item when he denounced ICE violence in Minneapolis. He still stands proud. “I was just preaching a message I felt was right: love and respect and treating people with dignity.” (He said more than other oblique speakers on other panels had the courage to say.) Skating star Ilia Malinin said it’s difficult to be the best person AND athlete in the same moment, especially for young teenagers. But here he was, telling his story. I applaud all of them for standing on a stage and talking about it. The Olympics are inherently political. The values of Olympism counter the authoritarian trends of isolationism, nativism, and racism. The athletes, teams, sponsors and nations — if not their governments and leaders — in its ecosystem are living testaments to those values. That community is more powerful than any overnight soundbyte. Can’t wait for LA28 Olympic & Paralympic Games and Utah 2034. Thanks to Meridian International Center for the invitation.