OLYMPIAN LEGACY PARIS
For more than two centuries, the Olympic torch has led us. The torch of the Modern Games has burned brightly. Olympians have come from across the world, carrying their flags and dreams. They believed in themselves and their teams.
Now they will come to Paris in ‘24. The City of Light will be expecting them. The athletes have trained long and hard. They have been chosen from the many. They will compete in new and ancient sports.
France has reason to be proud. She was home to the founder of the Modern Games. Baron Pierre de Coubertin had a clear vision. He believed that the ancient games could be again. He brought the arts to athletics, and the Games were reborn.
The Olympians of the Modern Games respect and honor the heritage of competition. When they raise a javelin, they know it belongs to the ancient art of throwing. They respect the javelin, once a weapon of war, now a sport fostering camaraderie, skill, appreciation of human strength and precision.
They stand silently as the teams for Pentathlon enter the stadium. The athletes who will run, leap high, throw the discus and Wrestle, trace their competition back almost 3,000 years. There is a special reverence for the memory of the equestrians and their horse and chariot races in the Hippodrome.
The Games of yesteryear drive emotion, the medalists and Olympic Champions are remembered by their nations and us all. Now there is a new generation, excited and fearful at the prospect. Can we meet expectations? Can we meet the challenges? Our families have made great sacrifices. Our schools, our coaches, our towns and villages. Our pictures are on their doors and in their hearts. They expect so much. We are told that we have achieved a great deal. We are told that to participate is the high mountain. But we dream of a medal. We dream of being an Olympic Champion.
It is hard to sleep and not to dream. It is even harder not to stare at our competitors. We rarely speak their language, but we know we share each other’s thoughts. They look strong and confident and we breathe deeply.
Our coaches have been here before. They have brought teams to the Games. They have toured the venues in Paris. They have their own challenges and hopes. They share their confidence and strength.
At the start, we watch others compete. We see judges and umpires of little patience. We watch television cameras racing to keep up.
We see observers and important visitors. Our turn will come soon and we’ll be ready.
Now we tour Paris with so many others. We learn about the ancient Games. We hear of Zeus and the early wonders. Paris is beautiful and has hosted the most Modern Games. The athletes’ arrival will be on the river Seine.
The blessings will flow from Notre Dame’s renewal. The people of France will welcome us. The vivid colors of our uniforms will dazzle. The bistros and cafes will be hospitable. The memories will be recorded in our pictures.
But from all of our memorable visits, there is a lesson. No matter the Games’ outcome and our individual score, we will always remain Olympians.
For us the lesson is our responsibility. And the responsibility is to influence. Our Influence is the power to affect others. As gifted athletes, we serve a unique purpose.
As we look at the young, we realize that their purpose can be different, but as essential. They will be healers, artists, builders, teachers, farmers, writers, parents and more. And what they do to create their success will be as hard and require the same dedication as Olympians.
Someday as they look into the faces of their own children, they might well remember having met an Olympian who shared a story of striving for success.
For the rest of our lives, no matter what else we may do, we will be recognized as Olympians first. Our example of losing, falling, being injured and rising in recovery to try again, is a precious inspiration for us all.
We beg to stay the course, contribute our strength, share our dedication and influence our world. de Coubertin understood and adopted our motto 100 years ago. Now for Paris, Olympic leaders embrace unity and solidarity.
Plus vite, Plus haut, Plus fort – Ensemble Citius, Altius, Fortius – Communiter Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together
By John Francis Krimsky — A tribute written to honor centuries of Olympians and to seek support for Youth Sports and the future. John Krimsky Jr. is the former Deputy Secretary-General of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), and co-founder and First President of the Olympic Properties of the United States (OPUS).