Source: www.guardian.co.tt
By Brian Lewis
This Thursday, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Movement worldwide will celebrate, as is done every year on June 23, Olympic Day. The IOC constituted itself on June 23, 1894. Since then the IOC has weathered many a storm on all fronts—financial, political and ethical—and along the way the IOC kept building and learning and growing. One may well remember the 1976 to 1984 period. Many claim that were it not for the Los Angeles Olympics, the Olympic Games would have crashed out of existence. Who knows? It is a fact that the revenue stream of the IOC changed and the marketing of sponsorship and television gifted the IOC a financial gold mine. Los Angeles and money aside. One would still have to give enormous credit to the IOC for its resilience and indomitable will not just to survive but to thrive.
Truth of the matter is that different eras bring with them different challenges. Questions about the future of the Olympic Games and their relevance remain subjects of debate, but even in the face of divergent views inside and outside the Olympic movement there remains that deep will and dedication fueled no doubt by age old Olympic history and tradition to carry forward Pierre de Coubertin’s legacy. But no matter the many triumphs, there is need for eternal vigilance as the most virulent threats to the Olympic values and spirit come from within. Olympism is a philosophy of life blending sport with culture and education. It seeks to create a way of way of life based on the joy found in effort,the educational value found in good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles. The goal of Olympism has not changed over the years: to place sport at the service mankind and to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport.
Any organisation or person belonging in any capacity whatsoever to the Olympic movement is bound by the provisions of the Olympic charter. The annual celebrations afford those involved or interested in the Olympic movement and Olympic sports to revisit the Olympic charter and the fundamental principles of Olympism. It should also serve as a reminder to those in leadership positions about the true purpose of the Olympic movement. Carrying the flame of Olympism in these times—where winning is all that matters and winning at any cost is viewed as par for the course—is not an easy burden to bear.
The difficulties are great but succumbing to the whirlwind of commercialisation and self interest must be resisted. Olympic day is an important respite. The TTOC will host its Olympic Day activities on June 25 at Chaguaramas opposite the Convention centre starting at 930 am. The popular Olympic relay will be run off at 2 pm. Don’t miss it.
Editor’s note: Brian Lewis is the Honorary Secretary General of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee- http// www.ttoc.org. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the TTOC.