May & Walsh Make Children Proud

On Wednesday, Misty May and Kerri Walsh defeated Jia Tian and Jie Wang 21-18, 21-18. With their victory, May and Walsh scored their second consecutive gold medal. They won their one hundred and eighth consecutive match.

Superficially, fans exalt competition. They covet equality. They crave miniscule margins. Secretly, fans admire dominance. They recognize inexorable excellence. May and Walsh’s status underscores this. Every match, victory was assumed. Yet, America watched. America had to watch.

For Olympians, careers are fleeting. Retirement is rapid. Life and quadrennial increments cannot coexist. May and Walsh have acclaim. They have championships. They want children. Allegedly, they are unfinished. If their finale was this evening, May and Walsh’s conclusion was eternal.