At one of the world’s newest stadiums in one of the world’s
oldest cities, more than a thousand athletes began the final steps of what is
for many a lifelong journey. Representing
your country at the Olympics is more than a dream – it’s life-changing. The overwhelming majority of these patriots
have no chance of coming home with a medal… and they don’t care. They were winners the second they stepped in
front of the world last night.
For the next two weeks you’ll see extraordinary people do
extraordinary things. This would be a
wonderful time to take a break from America’s Got Talent or the swamp show du
jour. You want reality TV? How about the flag-bearer from Iraq with tears
in her eyes as she marches her teammates through the stadium while at home her
country re-builds it’s war-torn cities?
She’s not alone. Contingents from
Syria, Libya, Egypt and Afghanistan are also enjoying this respite from a
reality that is nothing like Jersey Shore.
Women in Saudi Arabia can’t vote. Women in Saudi Arabia can’t even drive. But for the first time in history, women in
Saudi Arabia CAN compete in the Olympics.
Two of them are in England right now creating a new reality for future
generations.
Oscar Pistorius is a sprinter from South Africa – a sprinter
without feet. He had his legs amputated
below the knee as a baby. He runs with
prosthetics, and for the first time a man like this is just too good for the Paralympics. Inspirational for sure, but there are some
who say that he actually has an ADVANTAGE with his carbon blades instead of
feet. He’ll fight the reality of
prejudice and ignorance over the fortnight.
France's Laura Flessel-Colovic is at the Olympics for the fifth time. She had her 40th birthday last year, but the joy on her face as she carried her country's colors made her look 18. Denisse van Lamoen is taking a break between law school and her exams to chase the first archery medal in the history of Chile. Bolivia's Karen Torrez nearly drowned as a child and committed herself to conquering the water. She'll compete in swimming's 100-meter freestyle. For so many of these athletes standing on the podium is far from realistic. They'll travel across the world for a two-minute performance. And then? You guessed it - back to reality. The thing is, it's the people they'll meet... the experiences they'll share... the honor they feel that make the hours, days, weeks, months and years of hard work worth the sacrifice.
France's Laura Flessel-Colovic is at the Olympics for the fifth time. She had her 40th birthday last year, but the joy on her face as she carried her country's colors made her look 18. Denisse van Lamoen is taking a break between law school and her exams to chase the first archery medal in the history of Chile. Bolivia's Karen Torrez nearly drowned as a child and committed herself to conquering the water. She'll compete in swimming's 100-meter freestyle. For so many of these athletes standing on the podium is far from realistic. They'll travel across the world for a two-minute performance. And then? You guessed it - back to reality. The thing is, it's the people they'll meet... the experiences they'll share... the honor they feel that make the hours, days, weeks, months and years of hard work worth the sacrifice.
204 countries are represented in London this year. 81 of them have never had an athlete bring
back a medal. Yes, some of the best of
the best will come home decorated in gold, silver and bronze, but the beauty of
the Olympics is that it doesn’t matter what color you leave with… it’s the
colors you’re wearing when you get there that are the source of all that
pride. And THAT is the best reality of
all.
