26th Anniversary of Miracle on Ice

Despite the US getting eliminated in the quarterfinals by Finland today, it is still a great day for US Hockey. 
 
On this day, 26 years ago, Team USA defeated the USSR at hockey in the 1980 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid. I don’t really care for the patriotic context of the victory because hockey is just a game and it doesn’t mean one country’s way of life is superior over a sport. Those hockey players from the Soviet Union were awesome athletes so they’re worthy of our respect for that and politics should be left at the door when it comes to games. 
 
To me, the win is a huge tribute to amateur athletes beating professionals, disguised as amateurs. Nowadays, pros are sent with hugely disappointing results. I think hockey teams for the Olympics should be staffed with players from the younger ranks like the Juniors competitions.