by Justin Lagat
Tokyo 2021, photo by IOC.org
Justin Lagat just sent this piece from Kenya on his view of the Olympic postponement, and the positive lessons from this time of quarantine. Justin Lagat has written for us over seven years. His thoughtul observations, and access to the fine athletes in his country have helped us appreciate the absolute quality of Kenyan athletics.
We had the stadiums and the athletes’ villages all ready for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. Athletes were in their final preparations across the nations that are represented by the five Olympic rings. Then, with just a few more months to the Games, the unexpected happened and the Games had to be postponed for another one year.
With what is happening now, next year’s Olympic Games will most likely be held under a different light. There will be much more to celebrate and learn from the best athletes in the world and not simply get entertained by them. The world will most likely be more united after fighting a common cause; the coronavirus.
Perhaps nature is giving us an opportunity to learn a few more lessons on why we should appreciate the Olympic Games more. Perhaps more emphasis was needed to be put in the educational, social responsibility and respect for the universe’s aspect of the Games.
After the pandemic, more people will learn to appreciate what athletes actually stand for; fitness and health. To be able to perform well, athletes focus on eating healthy, remaining active daily and building immune systems in their bodies. The rest of the world should learn that all these principles being applied by athletes are actually the same ones that each and everyone in the world should be applying in their daily living.
For the star athletes, they will have learned that they are worth more than their strength and swiftness. That they are as well role models to bring a positive change and hope in their communities. That, all we do, and stand for, should be for the sake of humanity and the universe.
According to the official website for the Olympic movement, Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting the qualities of body, will and mind. It blends sport with culture and education. It seeks to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example, social responsibility and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.
“The goal of the Olympic Movement is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport practiced in accordance with Olympism and its values.” (Olympic Charter, Chapter 1, Rule 1.1).
The Olympic Games has been the second biggest event after the World Cup that manages to bring all the nations together. It is an event that can best be used to advance peace and unity in the world. And, if it had to wait for one more year in order to prepare the world to get a clearer message, then so be it.
