#Eddy Alvarez shows the true Olympic — and American — spirit

As athletes kneel during the national anthem and turn their backs on the flag, what a breath of fresh air is Eddy Alvarez.

Chosen as the Team USA flag bearer, along with basketball star Sue Bird, Alvarez teared up talking about what an honor it was.

His family fled Cuba and made a life in Florida — where he grew up to be a speed skater who medaled in the 2014 Winter Olympics, then a major-league baseball player with the Miami Marlins. He’s playing on the national baseball team at the Tokyo Olympics.

“Just to get the honor to represent the United States of America, to hold the flag — the symbol of liberty, of freedom — my family came over to this country from Cuba in search of opportunity, and if it wasn’t for them doing that, I wouldn’t be in the position that I am now,” he said on the “Today” show. “I mean, this has been such a whirlwind of emotions.”

This is the story that progressives don’t want to hear. Cuba is the most racially equal country in the world, claims Nikole Hannah-Jones, and its socialist utopia is only impeded by American sanctions, to hear Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tell it. That neither thing is true is exemplified by the millions who have fled or have taken to the streets of cities across the island to demand freedom now.

And for all their support of open borders, Democrats regularly feed the myth that this country is unworthy of pride; that we are a racist, fractured dystopia. So why are families like Alvarez’s parents rushing to get here? 

“Being a first-generation Cuban American, my story represents the American Dream,” Eddy Alvarez said after being chosen. “My family has sacrificed so much for me to have the opportunity to wave this flag proudly.”

Patriotism. Gratitude. Humility. Will Nike make a commercial with this guy?