Olympics, the word itself creates grandeur. Once in four years the world gathers to watch the most dedicated among us to reach beyond their own limits. I wonder what the ancient Greeks thought when created the first event in 776 BC.
One thing they had in mind is to cease all hostilities while the games were on; and they did. Fast forward couple thousand years, the ancient spirit of the games were resurrected once again. The premise was quite similar, bring mankind together in fair competition, bridge gaps, promote fairness and peace and most of all, create an environment free of politics. Noble intentions right?
Somewhere, somehow along the way, the games have lost sight of those principles. The very essence of the games was desecrated in the 1972 Munich murders, slowly but surely the Olympics were taken over as a stage for political propaganda.
As we head to Sochi, tensions are heightened. The possibility of a large scale terrorist attack looming over the organizers. Travel advisories have been issued, the venues slowly will resemble to a top secret army complex rather than what it supposed to be; a place of joy and triumph.
If the ancient Greeks could do it, why can't we? Let's pay tribute to the ones who are daring to push the boundaries of physics, the ones who are brave enough to sacrifice so much on the altar of excellence. No one has the right to take that away from them. I want the Games back as they were supposed to be, free from ideology, politics and power struggles.
I honor you, Athletes of Winter.
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