The Spirit of the Games
by Jennifer Altavilla
Imagine what the world would be like if humanity shared a common spirit. Not a common organized religion, which, today, is defined more by bureaucracy and politics than by devotion in many cases, but a sincere desire to practice kindness and charity. It is idealistic, perhaps, to assume that the world-with all its diverse cultures, histories, environments, and customs-could ever live in complete harmony, could ever unite around a universal aspiration. Some might say that a world spirit borders on socialism and that, by virtue of it being universal, it would suppress individual liberty and freedom of expression. On the other hand, wouldn't it be comforting to believe that humanity could be united by some force of goodness in this time of unrest, of uncertainty, of fear?
For one night, August 8, 2008, it seemed such an ephemeral hope could be realized. On that night, the world convened in Beijing, China to celebrate the opening of the 29th summer Olympiad. Bathed in the lights of the Olympic Stadium, affectionately known as the "Bird's Nest," athletes from 205 nations gathered together to praise the glory of sport and the spirit of international fellowship. For one evening politics, power, religion, and culture disappeared as athletes worshiped at a common altar. For one moment, the obscure weightlifter from the tiny island of Tuvalu (population: 11,000), was just as honored and important as phenom U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps or Chinese basketball hero, Yao Ming. For one instant, the world-through the vehicle of sports-was connected by a spirit of respect, honor, and friendship.
Of course, in all likelihood, once the Games end on August 24th, the 2008 Olympic motto, "one world, one dream," will fade as rivalries renew. Pakistan and India will once again commence their ancient feud. George Bush will not cheer politely for Iraq. China won't give Japan a rousing ovation. The Olympics could not stop Georgia and Russia from fighting, as they were at the very hour of the opening ceremonies, so how can the Olympic spirit matter at all?
The fact is, people watch the Olympics because they take comfort in the international unity-though fleeting and somewhat superficial-it creates and inspires. For three weeks people can feel safe, can convince themselves that international peace is possible, can hope that some of the Olympic spirit will remain after the flame is extinguished. For 17 days, people can feel patriotic, can feel proud of their country's accomplishments. Even more importantly, they can empathize with and applaud foreign athletes, many of whom have sacrificed much of their lives to compete for their respective country-no matter how small or politically insignificant-on the international stage. Watching the sorrows and achievements of athletes of all nationalities, ethnicities, and cultures, makes people, especially isolated Americans, feel as if they are part of a world community. Olympic sport emphasizes the importance of humanity over nationhood, of brotherhood over individuality.
Perhaps sport is not religion, but it does accomplish what organized religion cannot. Whereas organized religion emphasizes difference, of the eminence and truth of some beliefs over others, sport accentuates the innate qualities that all mankind shares. It proves that everyone, no matter what country he calls home, or what god he worships, laughs, cries, feels joy and pain in the same language. Although it may seem that the world is irrevocably divided, both by oceans and custom, there is still the possibility-for a few weeks at least-of the existence of "One World, One Dream."
