The release of Katy Perry’s single couldn’t come at a more perfect time.
Perry debuted her new single, “Rise” late on Thursday, July 14, exclusively on Apple Music. The songstress also released an accompanying video on YouTube Vevo.
“When, when the fire’s at my feet again/And the vultures all start circling/They’re whispering, ‘you’re out of time.’ But still, I rise/This is no mistake, no accident/When you think the final end is near; think again/Don’t be surprised, I will still rise,” sings Perry.
NBC will use the song as an anthem during its 2016 Rio Olympics coverage.
“This is a song that’s been brewing inside me for years, that has finally come to the surface,” Perry said during an appearance on the Today Show. “I was inspired to finish it now, rather than save it for my next album, because now more than ever, there is a need for our world to unite. I know that together we can rise above the fear... in our country, and around the world.”
With the recent rash of violence throughout the country and the world, Perry encouraged unification.
U.S. Athletes Look To Bring Home Gold
The American Olympic team is expected to be large, with more than 500 athletes expected to travel to Rio.
The women’s gymnastic team is strong this year and the five team members are expected to win plenty of gold. The new team has returning medalists and Olympic newcomers, including three-time world all-around champion Simone Biles.
Biles, who is known for her exceedingly difficult routines, is a three-time world all-around champ. She recently won her fourth gold medal on June 26 at the P&G Championships. Her victory made her the first woman to win four consecutive national championships in the all-around in 42 years.
Biles will be joined by Gabrielle Douglas, Alexandra Raisman, Laurie Hernandez, and Madison Kocian.
The U.S. team has not lost an international competition in six years.
Swimmer Michael Phelps will be participating in his fifth Olympic games, a journey that started 17 years ago when he qualified as a 15-year-old at the 2000 Olympic trials. Phelps’ fifth appearance in the Olympic games is the first for a male swimmer.
The official 12-man 2016 USA basketball roster are heavy favorites for the gold medal. Nine of the 12 members of the roster were NBA all stars this past season. From the 2016 NBA Finals, Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving and three Warrior players—Klay Thompson, Harrison Barnes, and Draymond Green—will be participating. Barnes and Green will be first time participants. Jimmy Butler from the Chicago Bulls is also another notable first time participant.
Representing volleyball is Kerry Walsh Jennings. Jennings is set to participate in her fifth olympics (fourth on the beach), but her first with partner April Ross after the retirement of Misty-May Treanor in 2012. Jennings, 37, would not confirm to Sports Illustrated in an interview if will be her last Olympics.
