Last Thursday at the 17th Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) Annual Awards held at the National Academy for the Performing Arts, the keynote address was delivered by the Honourable Chief Justice and President of the Court of Appeal of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Mr Justice Ivor Archie. The theme was embracing values. Under the distinguished Patronage of their Excellencies Professor George Maxwell Richards, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Dr Jean Ramjohn- Richards and with the Honourable Minister of Education Dr Tim Goopeesingh, the Honourable Minister of Legal Affairs Prakash Ramadhar was among the prominent public figures in the audience. Chief Justice Archie delivered one of the most insightful and compelling speeches ever heard at a TTOC Annual Awards function. His knowledge, appreciation and understanding of the vision, mission, philosophy, of Olympism and its relevance to modern day T&T society was sincere, powerful and profound. Justice Archie championed the legitimacy and validity of Olympism and its founding principles, values and goal of using sport to educate the youth of the world by blending sport, education and culture.
That the third highest office holder in the Republic of T&T can embrace, discern and with clarity of thought articulate on the role that sport can play in social, educational, economic and personal development is significant. Olympism has its roots in ancient Greece where people were encouraged to develop their physical, moral, intellectual, cultural and artistic qualities. This philosophy was celebrated through the Olympic Games by blending sport with culture and education. Promoting a way of life based on the joy found in effort and the balanced development of people as an essential step to building a peaceful society that places a high value on human dignity, within the founding principles of Olympism can be found the promotion of social responsibility and good citizenship.To reduce Olympism and sport to a mere event, to see Olympism as nothing more than records and medals at the Olympic Games reflects a lack of perspective and a distorted view of the philosophy of Olympism and its goal of working towards building a better and more peaceful society. Successive policymakers have failed to incorporate sport in a more meaningful way as one of the national strategic priorities and policy initiatives.
It’s unfortunate that those who talk the most understand the least. This misplaced focus says a lot about how disconnected those who can solve the problems are from the true value and role of sport. In an Olympic Year the message, purpose and value of Olympism are more pronounced but even so can be lost in the hype that surrounds the world’s greatest show and the race for medals. On the 29th of December every year the T&T Olympic movement gather to promote what is important to the Olympic movement and celebrate excellence by embracing values that are cherished and a strong sense of community toward building a better future by drawing on strengths and values that have served well. The empowering message of hope, encouragement and understanding delivered by Chief Justice Ivor Archie will be an invaluable reference point and source of influence, empowerment, encouragement, inspiration and motivation to those who feel a sense of hopelessness and frustration at the lip service and empty talk that surrounds local sport.
The Olympic heritage, commitment, way of life and aspirations for the future cannot be diminished nor marginalised. The Olympic values have served well in the past and will do so in the future. The activity of the Olympic Movement, symbolised by the five interlaced rings, is universal and permanent.
-Brian Lewis
Source: www.guardian.co.tt