Pre-Paris Olympics thoughts
The rueful admission of weariness in one’s ‘crepuscular’ years, as cited in the Gospel of Matthew (26:41) with the idiom “[ … ]: the spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak” aligns admirably with the Olympic motto Citius, Altius, Fortius: it is a propitious moment, as I head to the Paris Olympic Games 2024, to hold on to the Faster, Higher, Stronger principle, possibly not in a physical sense as I age, but certainly in terms of resolve, thought, and emotively.
Various webinars, some online training, onerous visits to Paris ;), including a moment of angst as my passport name – Robert – did not correspond to my Olympics enrolment first name of Rob (resolved after five hours and contact with Le Ministère de l’Intérieur, only for my accreditation identity and lanyard to be printed as ‘Rob’!), then uniform collection, have brought me to reflect, with four weeks before my departure, upon this experience and its importance in a dichotomously fragile, yet increasingly-connected global society.
Appointed as Team Leader in the Olympic Village Media/Press Centre this summer is without doubt a privilege. I will no doubt draw on my English and French (listed alphabetically) language competency, hopefully organisational ability, and endeavour to deliver in a fast-paced and large-scale environment. In many respects, these skills are not a million kilometres away from those employed in a school context, the main difference being that of ‘audience’.
The excitement of working at the largest sporting event in the world and amongst top journalists and athletes is unparalleled in my life … apologies to the many excellent former students and colleagues! This was not part of my planned career path (although Sir Dominic
Cadbury’s fine quote – “There’s no such thing as a career path, it’s crazy paving and you have to lay it yourself” – is a timely reminder that opportunities abound and often out of the blue; we have to carpe diem), so I am reminded to remain adaptable, approachable, and attentive (I normally assiduously avoid awful alliteration!).
What new skills will I acquire? What challenges will I meet? What lessons will I learn? These are important questions with differing outcomes, yet what binds them is the need to continually learn and to continually realise that one never quite reaches the summit: not in a Sisyphean manner, with the boulder forever rolling down the slope upon one’s ascent of each ‘mountain’, but that self-improvement is not a destination, rather a journey.
Regarding the importance of the Olympic games as a global spectacle, I could offer figures: billions of television viewers; 205 nations represented; an IOC refugee team; 350,000 hours of TV broadcasting; 20,000 accredited journalists; 329 events. The list goes on. Yet, such facts are, in my humble opinion, far surpassed by the spirit of Olympism: solidarity; gender equality; inclusion; sustainability; integrity; Olympic truce; culture & heritage; peace; development. It is both a time and a place to take stock and reflect upon things that really matter for the good of humanity. Not only does Olympism promote and exalt the qualities of body, will and mind (as an aside, this reminds me of the meaning of the ASICS trainer acronym: anima sana in corpore sano – a healthy mind in a healthy body), but it is a way of life, which blends sport with both culture and education. There is joy and reward found in effort, educational values that can carry us through the course of life, as well as the all-important aim of strong respect for universal and ethical principles.
SO, before I pack my valises, I am taking time to consider why I am heading to the Hexagone (as France is quaintly described) and to the city of lights: this goes beyond a role working in a media/press environment and the opportunity to witness great sporting performances; it is a chance to be educated, an opportunity to share stories and experiences in life’s great tapestry, and an occasion to reaffirm that we should celebrate friendship. In conclusion, we are participants in building a peaceful and better world, we can educate without discrimination, we should display solidarity and mutual understanding, and finally, we must develop harmony. [values taken from IOC website]
Fun bite (some Olympic-themed jokes ... groan!)
Book: The Marathon written by Willy Makit & edited by Betty Woant
What is a banana’s favourite gymnastics move? The splits!
Why is it so hot in the stadium after the Olympic Games are over? Because all the fans have left!
Cérémonie d’ouverture des JO
Le président du comité Olympique est chargé du discours d’ouverture des Jeux Olympiques.
Bien entendu, ce n’est pas lui qui l’a écrit, mais l’un de ses conseillers. Les feuilles du discours sont posées sur son pupitre et il commence à lire :
“- O, O, O, O, O...”
Son conseiller se penche vers lui :
“ - Monsieur le président, vous n’avez pas besoin de lire les anneaux olympiques...”
