The Olympics is no doubt the biggest sports showcase on the planet. However, this reputation did not just come out of the blue. It took a huge deal of constant information sharing between different sports associations and federations globally over the years to transform it to what it is today. In its current form, it incorporates two categories: the Olympics and the Paralympics, with over sixteen game divisions in each of the categories. Of course, this massive success and reputation would not be possible without the Olympics adopting certain critical values geared towards celebrating humanity, which to me is exactly what the Olympics are all about.
Olympic values happen to be human values, and as such they need to be not forgotten even when the curtain falls on the games. We need to be with these values at all times—applying them in our daily lives not just for the sake of it, but instead helping to create a world more peaceful, more just, and where success is possible based on one’s hard work and determination. The Olympic values can be applied creatively to transform our societies through:
Education: Education is known to unlock human potential more than any other process in the universe. However that very education (especially in most of the third world) has yet to fully embrace sports as a line of training. There is need for us to push for sports to be fully included in our education systems so that they can be a massive additional sector of employment, guaranteeing self-reliance to all those who are able to reach their full potential in any of the sporting activities.
Equality and Fair Play: In the Olympics, equality and fair play are made a reality through simple procedures that can be emulated by our governments, institutions, and communities. In the spirit of equality and fair play, the Olympics welcome all persons (disabled or not; black or white; small or big) to take part in the games. Participation itself is conducted in a manner where people or teams are eliminated one after the other through a series of lead-up competitions that in the end leave only the very best to be awarded medals and other gifts. I have no doubts that if only we can push our institutions to emulate this Olympic example, for instance, in hiring those who serve us at any level, then chances of having incompetent individuals running our institutions and destiny will be greatly reduced.
Education: Education is known to unlock human potential more than any other process in the universe. However that very education (especially in most of the third world) has yet to fully embrace sports as a line of training. There is need for us to push for sports to be fully included in our education systems so that they can be a massive additional sector of employment, guaranteeing self-reliance to all those who are able to reach their full potential in any of the sporting activities.
Equality and Fair Play: In the Olympics, equality and fair play are made a reality through simple procedures that can be emulated by our governments, institutions, and communities. In the spirit of equality and fair play, the Olympics welcome all persons (disabled or not; black or white; small or big) to take part in the games. Participation itself is conducted in a manner where people or teams are eliminated one after the other through a series of lead-up competitions that in the end leave only the very best to be awarded medals and other gifts. I have no doubts that if only we can push our institutions to emulate this Olympic example, for instance, in hiring those who serve us at any level, then chances of having incompetent individuals running our institutions and destiny will be greatly reduced.
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