A message for you all

At this very moment, the 30th Olympic Games are coming to a close in the UK, just 37 miles from where I'm typing this. Athletes from across the world have spent the last two weeks competing in a spirit of friendly rivalry, each trying to be as great as they possibly can. As they all pile into the main stadium, every one of them has joy on their faces – a reflection of the blood, sweat and tears that have shaped them all in indescribable ways.

As I watch the solidarity and jubilation of a world of athletes coming together to celebrate doing their best, I have renewed hope for the all of us. When we each try to be all that we can, when we help each other to achieve our goals, when we celebrate our aspirations, our dreams and our attempts to reach them, we are unstoppable.

As a community we can stand shoulder to shoulder to help build a better future. “Be the change you want to see in the world”. I have faith in each and every one of you, I love you with all my heart and I am proud to call myself your brother. Peace be upon you and may the Force be with you all.

The Olympics are a good example of setting the standard as "Better than before". True there are standards within the Olympics but the competitive nature truly brings the competition to the point of "I must do better than I have done" each day those athletes strive to better themselves and in that provide a bit of guidance for us all. I've often talked of standards of excellence within the community. The one standard I think we can all agree on though is one of forward momentum and I think you summed that up very nicely here Master Mark.

They're all competing against each other, and stay in line because the whole thing is controlled by an external entity.

Remove rules and referees and you end up with France vs Spain Basketball. Which is just like football, probably world #1 pass-time.

To me, it just shows how hopeless we really are. Beasts to be tamed.

And thank you, ren, for the pessimistic view...

I used to compete at a national level in my country. Believe me sport is not what you think it is. I'm not being pessimistic, but realist. Judges who don't see you touch the wall with both your hands when you're in their son's category, unusually high proportion of people suffering from asthma (and legal documentation to prove it)? There is no such thing as friendly competition, only rules and regulations to prevent it from being bloodshed. And that to me is what shows how hopeless we are.

ren wrote: They're all competing against each other, and stay in line because the whole thing is controlled by an external entity.

Remove rules and referees and you end up with France vs Spain Basketball. Which is just like football, probably world #1 pass-time.

To me, it just shows how hopeless we really are. Beasts to be tamed.

Sorry, couldn't help myself

I heard that at one time the Olympics were an amateur competition. Even though I think it takes extreme dedication to devote your life to a sport and reach our Olympics I think it would be much more interesting to see it as it once was. To have people from around the world who aren't professionals, who can't afford to devote 100% of their time to a sport, compete. It would show a better representation of ones country (in my opinion). Plus, how cool would it be to be some plumber, teacher, average school kid and make it into the Olympics? It'd be pretty sweet (not that it's not now, but you know what I mean, right?)

Many moons ago, when I were a youngen, we had a sort of Olympics between about 12 schools. It was called Inter-School Sports Day. It was a day of fun, competition and a way to make new friends. It was usually held at the beginning of July and many a summers day was endured with this competitiveness of local schools.

OOHHH back in the day....

The message for me wasn't about the finer details of the sporting practice, or about personal feelings of resentment about past experiences. It was about the fact that for a few hours, nations from across the globe could come together in a spirit of peace and brotherhood/sisterhood to celebrate trying their best to be all that they can. That sort of thing is needed more than ever in this day and age and I think it transcends any personal grievances we may have. Sometimes we just have to put our problems aside and join together.

Sometimes we just have to put our problems aside and join together.

Only because they are forced to. No political statements are allowed at the olympics. Your peace and hope is artificially created.