How Can We Keep the Patriotism Going After the Olympics?

What is it about the Olympics? Every two years we Americans get our patriotism recharged when these game roll around. We may not have any idea who the person is but, if they are on the USA team, we pull and pull hard for them to win.  

It's important to us that "one of ours" wins. If they don't win we feel for them like they are a part of our immediate family. If they give up a game winning goal or fall on the slopes we want to reach through that television and prop them up and give them a hug.

Why is it we can't do that between Olympic games? We all pull for the Americans during the games and we should pull for each other outside the games as well. It would make life much better.