One Olympic Torch

7/29/2012

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The lighting of the Olympic torch is one of the most anticipated events at every Olympics. An enduring image, this unique ceremony officially welcomes the world to celebrate the Olympic games.

The London Organising Committee partnered with the World Wildlife Foundation to create the one world 2012 principle for a sustainable games. Currently, the world faces unprecedented environmental problems and uncertain financial markets that must be solved. Consider 2012 to be a baseline year in terms of the improvements that must be made.

The lighting of the torch is one of the best kept secrets of the Opening Ceremony. As countries came out in the Parade of Nations, they brought out a bulb of some sort with their athletes. If memory serves correct, one torch ignited five other torches to represent the five continents competing in the games. These five torches lit a sequence to light all 200+ bulbs placed in a circular structure. As this spectacular sight unfolded, the structure slowly raised and came together as one.

The lighting of the London torch represents the fact that each nation can bring something the world needs and that together, we can come together as one to form something singular and powerful.

Olympics, the pinnacle sporting event, is held to represent the ideals of Olympism. As we come together as one planet in 2012 let us have the time to enjoy these games and realize that if we all bring something positive to the world, the world can rise together to be a powerful force.
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What is Olympism? 

7/22/2012

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The Olympic Movement was brought back in 1894 and the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896 in Athens, Greece. Pierre de Coubertin, the author credited with the quote on this blogs front page, had a vision that the Ancient Olympic games could serve to celebrate amatuer sport amongst nations, ultimately being the largest pro-peace event tool the world has. 

The Olympic Games, controlled under the power of the International Olympic Committee, serve to highlight the values associated with Olympism. Olympism can be expressed in three words: friendship, excellence and respect. The IOC holds these basic values in high esteem and make sure every International Federation, National Governing Body, sponsor, partner, athlete and coach displays these values in their actions. Sports have a leadership role in society and the IOC is the ultimate socially responsible sports organization. The Olympic rings shown above represent the five continents and the interlocking rings represent the relationship the world has with each other. Though each ring may be colored differently, they are all connected. 

Sports have many wonderful qualities. First, sport activity benefits human health. Excercising biologically creates happiness. It also tests us to push further, to get better. Humans have a right to sport and this should not be stopped. It is against the Olympic movement to discriminate against anyone's right to sport. Doing so would not be friendly. Second, sports have the tremendous ability to bring people together and capture attention. A fundamental principle of the Olympic Movement, written in the Olympic Charter, is that "Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example, social responsibility and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles." The Olympic Charter establishes many notions that uphold the sanctity of the human experience we enjoy on this planet. Any organization associated with the Olympics is expected to have elections free from outside influences as well. 


The values associated with Olympic Movement aim to promote values that will continue to make the world a great place. After reading the Olympic Charter, I feel a sense of happiness and confusion that these ideals that seem so basic to me but are repressed to so many. The world is a good place but is often tested by the actions of those threatening the life, and thus the sports, we enjoy. The challenge is to take these ideals and put them into action. I am unfamiliar with the experiences of the many people in this world. But I do hope that the Olympism value system are as inspiring to others as they are to me. 


You can read the latest amended version of the Olympic Charter here! What you will find is that the Olympic Movement uses sport to benefit humankind. The pinnacle of this is held with every unique Summer and Winter Olympic Games in countries all over the world!

Information from the Olympic Charter was reflected upon to create this post. Some quotes and concepts are written on page ten.
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