i was not only brought up to believe the taking part is what matters, but that it is good sporting spirit to commend your opponent. to compete with graciousness. and certainly not to laugh at those who lose. there is an uncomfortable gap between saying, "We won!" and "You lose!"
i know there are those, Sullivan included, who think Obama perhaps shouldn't have gone, but i like that heads of state these days make the effort to join their bidding cities - because imperfect though it may be, as all things are imperfect, the Olympics is for something. positive. global. i think it's something worth making time for.
as i watched the Olympic voting live online yesterday i wondered, with all the media chatter over Obama's choice to travel to Copenhagen, how the extreme right would react if Chigaco lost their Olympic bid.
there's not much sadder than folks actually falling below your lowest expectations...
The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.
- from the Olympic creed.
consider this a round of applause for Chicago on the morning after.
commiserations to Chicago. and Madrid. and Tokyo. well done Rio. and congratulations to all.
Citius, Altius, Fortius
LB
as an aside - Thank you for reminding me to finally get around to downloading a Sufjan Stevens album I have been meaning to since last Christmas.. :) x
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