Lets talk Olympics

Enough of sodomy... enough of the corruption.. enough of the corrupted.. Lets put politics aside as we await 8:08PM on 8th Aug 2008. We live in interesting times my friends. Before Beijing 2008, we will have to go back 20 years to Seoul 1988 for the last time the Olympics came to this part of the world. Back in 1988, the world witnessed the good, the bad and the ugly. We witnessed legends bid farewell to the games, champions disgraced and new flamboyant champions.

Greg Louganis, the world's greatest diver went on to defend his title despite hitting his head on the board while executing one of his dives in the preliminary round. Carl Lewis, the icon of sprint in the 80s equalled Jesse Owens 4 gold haul... well, he lost the 100m to Canadian Ben Johnson, but the latter was disqualified after tested positive for banned substances. Then came the most colorful (fingernails) and elegant Florence Griffith Joyner Kersee (Flo-Jo as she is affectionately known) won the 100m and 200m. At the pool, 20 years ago, Matt Biondi tried to eclipse the haul by Mark Spitz of 7 golds but failed with only 4 golds. 20 years on at Beijing, Michael Phelps will want to have a go at unseating the legend. East German, Kirstin Otto reigned supreme with 5 golds in the pool.

2008 will yield its own history starting tonight. From Michael Phelps to Usain Bolt, from Lin Dan to Roger Federer, from Ronaldinho to Yao Ming... much of history will be made in 2008. But to true sportsmanship, its not the winning that counts, its the participation.

Somehow I find the most memorable quotes to come was this, 1968 Marathon runner from Tanzania, John Stephen Akwari when he said, "My country did not send me 7,000 miles to start the race. They sent me 7,000 miles to finish it." He finished last. Long after all the runners had completed the race and fans who were about to leave the stadium. He crossed the finish line with a heavily bandaged leg due to a fall during the race which caused his leg to be badly cut and with a dislocated bone.

That probably summarizes what the Olympics spirit is all about.