We are not exactly a world at peace with ourselves. Alliances falter and crumble, walls and belief structures continue to divide us. From the Cold war to the current issues around the globe-the human race doesn’t usually make a habit of true unity.
But every four years we have the Olympics. Yes its still a competition, but its also a symbol of our connection. We come together; athletes from every country striving for excellence, supporters from every community cheering in the stands, huddled around television sets together. Politicians may use that time to make grandiose statements or backdeals…but for us…well for us I think the Olympics symbolize something to strive for.
The flag that waves:
Five interlocking rings that represent “the coming together of five parts of the world, joining in healthy competition”. To me it symbolizes how we are bound together. Different but necessary to eachother.
The Olympic Torch:
There is a lot of ritual around the lighting of the torch. “Months before the Games are held, the Olympic Flame is lit on a torch, with the rays of the Sun concentrated by a parabolic reflector, at the site of the Ancient Olympics in Olympia, Greece. The torch is then taken out of Greece, most often to be taken around the country or continent where the Games are held…the day of the Opening Ceremony, the Flame reaches the main stadium and is used to light a cauldron situated in a prominent part of the venue to signify the beginning of the Games. Then it is left to burn throughout the Games till the Closing Ceremony, when it is extinguished to signify the end of the Games. “
Fire was stolen from the gods by Prometheus so that he could give that knowledge to mankind, for which he was creatively punished. Fire not only sustains us physically, it also represents the spirit that burns within us, and the light of the mind that forces us to discover, to create, to grow.
Passing the torch is a saying for sharing our knowledge with the next generation, so that they may replace and yes, surpass us.
The original Olympic games were a series of athletic competitions between various city-states in Greece around the 776 BC . During the games ekecheiria or a truce was observed. No armies were allowed to enter the area, wars were suspended and the use of the death penalty forbidden. Also the athletes were naked. A tradition that has, unfortunately, been revised.
Our fascination with the great ancient society eventually revived our interest in the games. And since then, they’ve been a moment out of time. A moment where we look forward to joining with other cultures of the world in a shared love of excellence and perserverance. A shared fascination with the stories of unbending will, unyielding spirit. A shared hope for unity and victory in the face of insurmountable odds.
During the games, we remember we are one human race. More alike than different, more connected than we can even comprehend. As long as that fire is lit, and that golden medallion of triumph beckons us to be the best, we are united.
Gotta love the Olympics.
August 12th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
I think the final thing that they should have to do at the end of every Olympics is hold hands and sing Kumbaya.
August 12th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Sassy mcsasserpants
Not that-but maybe-Give Peace a Chance LMAO
August 12th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Don’t Worry, Be Happy!
August 12th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
99 bottles of beer on the wall?
August 13th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
No No!!! We could all sing “We are the world” remember that one?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jcrwu6WGoMs
or maybe this one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X23MoTtVplE&feature=related
August 14th, 2008 at 6:34 am
“I’d like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony…….”