Embracing the Olympic spirit
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: August 08, 2012 -
Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the French educator, who founded the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and was primarily responsible for the revival of Olympic Games in 1894 once said, "The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well".
Moreover, the motto of Olympic, 'Citius-Altius-Fortius', which in Latin means 'faster, higher, stronger', implies that one's focus should be on bettering one's achievements, rather than on coming in first.
Even if this motto and the inspiring phrase coined by Baron Pierre de Coubertin beautifully sums up the true spirit of Olympic Games, it's arguable, because winning and not just participation, conquering and not just fighting well, does matter in any competition, be it sports or in life.
After all, what people are interested in talking about is all about the medalists in sports competition and successful people in life and they look up to them for inspiration.
That's the precise reason why we see such intense competition among the athletes even to the extent of driving some of them to indulge in unsporting or unethical behavior while their cheering supporters are vociferous to the extent of being boisterous.
Nonetheless, to be able to take part in a biggest International sporting competition like the Olympic is itself a big achievement, more so, for athletes from an underdeveloped hilly state like Manipur.
Out of the record five Olympians send from Manipur this time to represent India in the ongoing London Olympic, archer Bombayla, weightlifter Soniya Chanu and hockey player Kothajit have exited rather earlier from their respective events, but boxers MC Mary Kom and Devendro are still keeping alive the hope of thousands and thousands of their well-wishers back home.
While Mary Kom has advanced into semi-finals of women's 51 kg boxing competition, thus already assuring a medal for India, Devendro is just a step away from his medal hunt till he faces his next opponent in the quarter finals of men's flyweight (49 kg) category on Wednesday.
But the euphoria generated among their fellowmen and women in this strife-torn state is already so infectious that one common prayer on the lips of everyone, irrespective of caste and creed, here today is for their Olympic success and that glorious moment of pride to see them standing tall on the Olympic medal podium.
This all pervasive Olympic spirit has once again shown that Sports, indeed, is a unifying force among the people, and we need to promote and embrace it wholeheartedly.
Instead of sitting in front of televisions within the confined of homes, organising events where people can collectively watch and enjoy the performance of our players, could have enhanced this spirit of Olympic even to a greater height.
Why the numerous sports organizations in the state, more particularly, the boxing association, have not thought about this is unnerving? Sports is not just about healthy body, but also healthy mind.
Let's not forget this.
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