In their purest form, the Patriot Games could have been a unifying force for the country. The premise, as it was described by the White House in December, lends itself to that vision: two high school students from every state, territory and tribal nation competing for a chance to win a share of a $250,000 scholarship prize pool.

But even the innocuous idea of a national Olympics for kids ages 14-17 cannot escape President Donald Trump’s insistence on being the center of attention. The president is scheduled to be in attendance on the final day of events on Aug. 11 in in Geneva, Ohio, and I’m certain he will find a way to make it all about his awesomeness.

The games, which will be featured in an ABC special on Aug. 13, did not bring together the best student athletes from each state. The students were not selected through any qualifying events – they simply recorded video essays as to why they should be included.

Then there are the events themselves, which are more akin to a school field day than an elite sports tournament. From Aug. 9-11, the students played dodgeball, kickball and tug-of-war and participated in a “military-inspired boot........

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