Olympic ideals, every day

Like about ¼ of the planet, I tuned into the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony on the weekend. Let’s face it. I’m a complete sucker when it comes to the Olympics. And having kd lang sing Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” surrounded by 10s of 1000s of glowing lights did not do much to change that!

This year though, we were joined by a munchkin with a million questions. “What country are those people from? Who are those guys in funny uniforms carrying the flag? What are totem poles?  Why are those people wearing Indian costumes? What’s that fire for?”

It’s all new to him…

I reflect, “How has my own belief system been shaped by these Olympic ideals, legends and stories? Why is so much emotion stirred up within me at the mere mention of the word? What is it about the Olympic Games that brings out the worst in inane TV commentary? Which beliefs and ideals do I wish to pass on to my son?”

In my eyes, the Olympics has always represented the world the way it should be:

1. A coming together of peoples of all nations in a spirit of peace
2. Free and fair competition
3. Being your best, whether you win or not, pushing your boundaries
4. Working hard to achieve your dreams, and not giving up when challenges threaten you from doing so.

I know, this is a highly idealised view. There are also interpersonal rivalries, nationalistic prejudices and stereotyping, doping scandals, artificial glamorisation of youth, hero worship, political agendas, and sadly, even a death this year. Behind the scenes, there will be anti-terrorism strategies and the hiding of anything “less-than-ideal” from public view (e.g. the relocation of homeless people that has occurred at previous Olympic Games).

And yet, for 15 days every 2 years (if you count both Summer and Winter Games), thousands of volunteers give freely of their time, people smile at each other on the host city’s streets, the world watches the excitement, glamour and athleticism as competitors from all around the world strive to be the best that humans can possibly be.

And we all dream of a better world.

Maybe, the greatest gift of the Olympic Games is that it gives us a taste of what the world COULD be. Maybe it also shows us a way to achieve it.

Minus the TV commentators.