Clockwise from top left: Visa; Nike; Samsung

Television

Heart-Stomping Commercials Of The Rio Olympics: The Sequel!

Yes, we said the last one was the 'definitive' collection. But tear extraction this determined can't possibly be contained in a single post.

Tara Ariano
 

When I assembled a collection of heartstring-plucking TV ads earlier this week, I really believed it when I called it "definitive." I should have known this was an area that was too big for just one collection. So: please enjoy this sequel with some tissues. Or a hanky. Or a sleeve.

Samsung: The Chant

South Sudan is the newest country to be recognized by the IOC, and Margret Rumat Rumat Hassan one of the first athletes to represent it at the games. Evidently, the entire nation is behind her.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KE1myHdqlWM

Mini: Defy Labels

Serena Williams made an appearance in a Gatorade spot in the first collection, but returns here to speak for herself and talk about how her career as an athlete opened up the world beyond Compton, California. Also, she wears a pendant that reads "KRYPTONIAN," which is rad. If she's not a superwoman, no one is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QS03F_DLu08

Visa: Yusra Mardini

...Okay, Serena might want to pop over to the shop where she bought her "KRYPTONIAN" necklace and grab one for refugee Yusra Mardini. This Visa spot tells you why.

Under Armour: Rule Yourself

As someone writing this post in the blackest night, I really relate to this Under Armour spot about all the toughest training the USA women's gymnastic team does, in the dark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDM1FPFxbVk

Nike: Unlimited Courage

Hat tip to my esteemed colleague Sarah D. Bunting for alerting me to this spot about the first trans athlete to compete on the men's national team. He is pretty blasé about his pioneering; I, who burst into tears the first time I watched it, am not!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gq8PO9XK2Y

Tara Ariano