Olympics: Where participation earns respect and wins are heroic

When the Persian military officer Tigranes “heard that the prize was not money but a crown [of olive], he could not hold his peace, but cried, ‘Good heavens, Mardonius, what kind of men are these that you have pitted us against? It is not for money they contend but for glory of achievement!’"   — Herodotus, Histories, 8.26.3 Dating back to 776 BC, Olympia, Greece when the Olympiad, as it was called then, was a sporting event held as part of a religious festival honouring Zeus, the Greek King of the Gods. The Games held once in every four years were the epitome of athletic skill and competitive spirit. Though only free men who spoke Greek hailing from any part of the world were allowed to compete, Games earned the fascination and respect of the entire society. The athletes at the Games competed in an individual capacity and not representing any one nation and yet the patriotism was fierce. The winner became a celebrity in his hometown and had his statue erected in Olympia though the actual award was only a crown of olive leaves. [caption id=“attachment_390244” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  The emotion associated with the Olympics is unique. Charlie Riedel/AP[/caption] Today, the modern Olympics that took form in 1896, have evolved. With athletes representing their respective countries and a wide range of benefits associated with winning and even mere participation, the scenario has changed substantially. Yet the adulation and the spirit remains the same. The participation at the Games earns the athlete respect. A win, of course, is heroic. Then it was a crown of olive leaves whereas now it is a gold plated medal. The statue at Olympia is replaced by being on the cover of say a Sports Illustrated or billboards with a lot of endorsements in tow. The medal is celebrated with the champion parading in an open bus though streets lined with fans looking to catch a glimpse and celebrate the victory. The win is as much their own as it is of the champion. The emotion associated with these games is unique. Once every four years these numerous athletes come and participate to realise their dream of a medal, to find a platform to make good a lifetime of hard work, persistence and sacrifice. Excellence and perfection are only a part of the Olympic experience. The triumph of Jesse Owens in 1936 Berlin, was inspirational across boundaries. The way he conquered physical odds and racial discrimination to become one of the most celebrated athletes in history. The episode of ace British athlete Derek Redmond in the 1992 Games where he snapped his hamstring and collapsed some 150 m into the race only to get up and hobble to the finish line with the help of his Dad who had come running onto the track seeing the resilience of his son. Also, the combined march of East and West Germany in 1956 and North and South Korea in 2000 were worth a million words. With numerous such instances, the Games not only showcase sporting talent but also throw up lessons in humanity and landmarks in history. As we all gear up to witness the largest sporting event in the world let us keep the Olympic spirit in mind and truly celebrate the history, dedication, focus and hard work of the worlds’ best athletes who shall be competing in London. Intensity. Emotion. is the Olympics. Yes, i.e. the Olympics Let’s welcome the Olympics 2012.