It's that time of four years again when we gather as one world for the greatest competition of sports on the planet. For about a 115 years the Olympics has occurred in modern times. The ancient Greeks had practiced this tradition long before our time. Which is more important in modern times, the sports or the meaning?
The sports are amazing. Over the years a number of Jewish athletes have competed on this great stage. This coming year three Israelis will go from the Negev to "negevtive" zero in Canada. In my school, the gym teachers have decided to host an Olympics. I thought competitive drive would rear its ugly head, but just the opposite. People are being nicer to each. The Olympics is the most competitive there is, but all the athletes are good to each other.
To our world, the Olympics is a break. Tonight when the games open, blacks and whites, Arabs and Jews will be in the same place. No fighting whatsoever. Peace is finally achieved on a global scale. Unfortunately, after the games end it is all over. Why?
Everyone in the world can come together for two or three weeks. Our school has come together through the Olympics in gym class, but when that class ends it backs to business as usual. What if we channeled war into sporting events more often? One day Iran and the United States could be shooting hoops instead of shooting guns. How do we achieve this dream? Is the Olympics the way?
I want to here YOUR ideas! To comment, leave a comment below (if you know how) or email me at agraubart@msn.com.
Adam unfortunately the olympic history, especially the summer olympics is marred with some ugly incidents that have not been entirely peaceful. In 1936, Germany and Hitler hosted the olympics with bigotry being an underlying theme where Marty Glickman did not participate in those games. Only the spectacular feats of Jesse Owens rose above the Nazi bigotry.
ReplyDeleteIn 1972, the arabs took Israelis hostages. It was a sad day in September 1972 when I believe 11 hostages were murdered at the games. This was one of the earliest threats of terrorism. What was truly sad, was that West Germany and the Olympic committee chose to continue the games at this Olympiad after the massacre.
Yes the Olympic spirit is to bring the world together in peace. I am glad you are taking such an optimistic approach to the games and the world. One can only hope.
Hey Adam, I haven't read your blog in a while...but as usual, your insight and breadth of knowledge go way beyond your years. Simple solutiosn to complex problems are often overlooked by "smart" people. Perhaps our world leaders should listen to folks like you once in a while.
ReplyDeleteAdam...why don't you create a "fan page" on facebook and drive some of your facebook friends to this blog to read and comment?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.facebook.com/pages/create.php
IN theory I agree with you, but in reality I feel the olympics are extremely political and extremely commercial.
ReplyDeleteTry this exercise - in one hour of coverage, count how many corporate logos you see (for added bonus, count the commercials too.)
Where the olympics are held, and who competes, is very political.... under-developed countries are not represented (and I am not sure if they should be given the amount of resources it takes to get an athlete there).
Okay, I sound like a curmudgeon, but the olympics frustrate me as mis-directed these days....