Barack Obama says displays of "human excellence" in sports still have the ability to unite the country.
The former president shared a video message reflecting on the NBA All-Star Game and Team USA's showing at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. He used those stages to illustrate the unifying reach of athletics.
Obama described those moments as reminders of sports' broader cultural role.
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
In the video posted to social media, Obama referenced the environment surrounding Team USA during the 2024 Olympics. He highlighted the crowd reaction when Stephen Curry connected from long range.
"Sports can bring the world together. Right now, we're in the middle of the [Winter] Olympics. It's worth reminding us."
"We saw it in Paris. When you watch the US team play in Paris, and the Serbian team and French team, you're reminded of what the Dream Team did to inspire all of that."
"You saw the French fans when Steph was hitting those threes. They're mad, but they can't be too mad because it is art, it is joy. It binds us together to see human excellence in that way."
"Only sports, music, and the arts can do that, to bind us together and remind us of our common humanity. That's something we want to preserve and build on."
He linked the current Olympic atmosphere to the legacy of the original Dream Team. Obama suggested that even opposing fans can appreciate greatness when it is on display.
Obama paired the video with a caption that expanded on his theme. He referenced both the NBA All-Star Game and the Winter Olympics.
"Watching the NBA All-Star game and Team USA at the Winter Olympics, it's clear that sports — just like music and art — still have the power to bring us together, build community, and remind us of our common humanity."
Throughout his public life, Obama has frequently pointed to basketball as a shared cultural touchpoint. His latest remarks reinforce his view that sports can create moments of connection.
By citing Curry's performances and Team USA's Olympic presence, Obama argued that athletic achievement continues to serve as common ground. For him, those scenes reflect a capacity for unity that extends beyond competition.
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