The Olympics

The first Olympic Games that I was aware of was in 1968. Our elementary school gym teacher, Mr. Neff, gave us an assignment to give a report on the Olympics. Every four years I think of Mr. Neff and give thanks that he introduced me to this sporting event that has given me so many memories.

That was the year the games were held in Mexico City. It was the year Bob Beamon broke the world record in the long jump by almost two feet. A record that would stand for 33 years.

I remember the 1972 games in Munich. Dave Wottle had an incredible come from behind victory to win the gold medal in the 800 meter track event. That was also the year we were introduced to Mark Spitz, the swimmer who won seven gold medals. And Olga Korbut, the gymnast from the Soviet Union, who won the hearts of Americans in spite of the Cold War.

There was Nadia Comaneci, who earned a perfect score in gymnastics in Montreal, the boycotted games of 1980, which were held in Moscow. The Los Angeles Games of 1984 and the fall of Mary Decker Slaney in the 3,000 meters, and the four gold medals won by Carl Lewis.

I remember the flaming arrow that ignited the Olympic flame in Barcelona in 1992, the Atlanta games and the bombing that killed two and injured dozens, the Athens, Beijing, London, and Rio De Janeiro games in which Michael Phelps won a total of 23 gold medals, the Tokyo games of 2021 that were postponed because of Covid.

This year, the games are being held in Paris, and Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky have added their names to the list of greatest Olympians of all time. Even as I write these words, other athletes are providing memories that will last a lifetime.

One thing I love about the Olympics is that all of these athletes gather in the spirit of peace. They are able to set aside differences, conflicts, and wars, in the spirit of competition. Israel is there, but so is Palestine. South Korea is there, but so are North Korea athletes.

As our country looks ahead to our presidential election in November, we are a deeply divided nation. But we can learn a thing or two from our Olympic athletes. They remind us that love is stronger than hate, that courage is stronger than fear, peace is stronger than war, and light is stronger than darkness.