Do athletes really go to the Olympics for their country, or for themselves?
Only the naive believe they're in it "for country."
It's about personal glory and a hopeful payday -- let's face it.
That's why I couldn't give a rat's @ss about the Olympics.
Mostly themselves. In America there is little if any governmental support for athletes. Most people have no idea how hard it is to get to achieve that level of competitiveness in any sport. The dedication is single-minded and the determination absolute.
But that doesn't change the fact that most of these athletes are delighted and deeply proud to hear their national anthem play, and to represent America. But it's a highly individual pursuit.