I have to tell you that this happens every time I watch the Olympic Games.  I see mostly young people, highly trained, incredibly motivated, disciplined and driven!  They have been working for this moment for a long time:  to go farther, faster, higher, longer- in water, on ice, in the air, on snow, in a court, on a field.  You see citizens of the world competing—or literally in hand-to-hand combat like judo or boxing—fighting to win.  And then there is the moment of congratulations and, even through disappointment, sportspersonship carries the day as the runner up or Bronze medalist congratulates the others.

And every time I watch these citizens of nearly every country, I wonder why we can’t live this way:  in peace, mutual respect and international cooperation.  The Olympics motto is “We move forward when we move together.”  And the organizing committee for the Tokyo Olympics adds “United by Emotion.”

I remember in the Cold War of the 80s wanting America to win more medals than Russia.  Unfortunately, it’s also when the stockpiling of nuclear warheads was of Olympic proportions and the concept of MAD- mutually assured destruction- had people wondering if might was just not right.

Even if you’re not a sports enthusiast, the opening and closing ceremonies can’t help but bring to mind our better angels- who we really are as a global village showcasing the best from our little block of the neighborhood.

During the sailing portion of the Seoul Olympics of 1998, Canadian sailor Lawrence Lemieux abandoned his race mid-competition to help Singaporeans, whose boat had capsized under 35-knot winds, leaving the pair in danger of being carried out to sea. Lemieux, who was on course to finish second in that day’s race, threw away his medal chances to help them out. He battled through harsh currents and forceful winds to ensure his competitors’ safety.

With Covid, terrorism, hackers and corrupt organizations, we should offer medals to those who make this world safer, stronger, friendlier and sturdier.