The other day I blogged about my love for sports, and prior to that I had posted a poem about running and my longing to run again. Friday night, the compilation of these two loves arrived, the 2012 Olympics. I suppose my love affair for The Games, began in 1976. I can remember sitting in the family room; being the 70's, it was the designated room that held the television for us kids to watch. It was the summer that I was turning 10 years old. It had been officially known as Games of the XXI Olympiad, and being held in a city I knew all too well, Montreal, in Quebec, Canada.
When you are ten years old, the world and its' policies do not directly impact your world, at least not from your point of view. Your world at ten is primarily made up of your family, neighbors, school and the occasional urban myths you learn at slumber parties. World affairs are not on your top ten list, let alone the top 100, on your list of concerns. 1976 had already been an interesting year in my young life; as it happened to be our nation's Bi-Centennial year. During the school year, we had gone on field trips dressed in colonial clothes to historic sites in the area, and learned the meaning of the Revolutionary War. I believe that was the closest I had come to learning about world affairs, even if it had been historical, in my young life. 
Then the summer games began on July 17th, of that same year. I was hooked, mesmerized even, and unbeknownst to me, I was witnessing history being made. I saw a young Bruce Jenner win the decathlon, breaking and setting world records. I was fortunate to see a girl, not much older than myself, from Romania named Nadia Comaneci score seven perfect 10's and go on to win 3 gold medals, including the "All-Around". The United States had it's best ever boxing team, made up of five of our best boxers; Sugar Ray Leonard, Leon Spinks, Michael Spinks, Leo Randolph and Howard Davis Jr. winning gold medals in boxing. It is no surprise that out of the five American gold medalists in boxing,
all but Davis went on to become professional world champions.
Sadly, the games had already changed. Following what had occurred during the Munich Games, security was now also a priority. I was too young to remember the tragic events of the Munich games that had been held only four years earlier. The massacre of nine Israeli athletes and their coach, by a group of Palestinian terrorists marred the event, casting a shadow on the wins and records set.
This past Friday night however, I delighted again watching the opening ceremonies, as had an estimated one billion around the world. Security still plays a major factor, even more so with the world being in the chaos that it finds itself in at the moment. Yet, for a few weeks in London, all eyes will be on the host city and the athletes, representing their respective countries. Two-hundred and four countries are participating in this summer's Games, competing and facing challenges, all with one purpose. To do their best and push beyond their limits. It is not only about the wins, or the medals, it isn't even about placing; what it is about is doing their personal best; not just for country but for themselves.
What is absolutely wonderful about the games, is that with the world focused on the events, there is peace, or the illusion of it for a moment in time. In a city, that is the only one in the history of the Olympics, to be the host city three times; thousands of athletes, from different walks of life, varying cultures, will reside near one another. Here there will not be talk of the ills of mankind; but rather the wonderment of what mankind can accomplish. We will witness peace, of 204 countries working together with one goal collectively, to present the best of the best doing their best and presenting the world with wondrous Olympic Games to go down in the history books. Just as they have in the days of Greece thousands of years ago.
The opening ceremony allowed us a glimpse of this peace, as we watched with delight the presentation that London gave us on Friday night. It was moving, and touched me hearing the International Children's Choir sing. To see the interpretation that the London Olympic committee gave, in welcoming the world to center stage. To see former Olympic (and World Boxing Champion) Muhammad Ali touch the Olympic flag, carried in by those whose efforts has been to help the world with humanitarian efforts; symbolized the real meaning of the games. Unity.
Perhaps the most touching moment for me, was the lighting of the torch. Traditionally, it has been given to one person to have the honor. During this ceremony, it was done by future hopeful Olympic athletes, sponsored by former Olympiads. The connection of past to future, from those who achieved to those working towards that same goal, filled the stadium with hope. For me; where there is hope, there is possibility. The greatest of which is peace in the world. So, for the next few weeks there will be hope, peace and endless possibilities for some to break records, and even for some to achieve the unimaginable. Regardless, I will be watching, with bated breath, rooting for my country, but mostly rooting for the peace that exists in the Olympic Village, extending to the world. Maybe these 204 countries will finally recognize that it is possible, without war, without guns, but with sharing one purpose and one goal. Today it is the Games, tomorrow, who knows.
I will sign off with a notation before my quotes; during the games I will be on hiatus from the internet. I will return to post once again, following the games and sending my eldest off to college. Enjoy your summer and enjoy the games! Now for some quotes from former Olympic Athletes.
"I wish people would love everybody else the way they love me. It would be a better world."
~ Muhammad Ali
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