16 Days of Peace: How the Olympic Games Bring the World Together

The Olympics: A Model For Faith?

The origins of the Olympic Games are shrouded in myth; however myth and legend are as sharp a tool as any in revealing some truth. According to one account promulgated by the Greek historian Pausanias, the Games were an ancient practice which honored Zeus, the king of the gods, however had fallen into disuse by the people of Greece. By command of the Oracle at Delphi, the Games were revived to combat religious decay and perpetual war in the land. In this way, the Games brought the people of Greece together every four years in worship and peaceful competition.

Regrettably, the Games faded from history during the rise of Christian Rome and were not celebrated again until the 19th century. Now, the modern Games collect athletes from all over the world in a spirit of competition. In ancient times, the Games suspended all wars between the various city-states, thus deciding political and social victory in the stadium. The Games were a method of diffusing tensions and conflicts between peoples without the use of war and slaughter.

I wonder, given the inter-religious strife which blights our world, if we could use the Olympic model for religious disputes? What if the world gathered its champions of theology and allowed them to compete in areas such as oration, history, narration, and yes, even miracles? What if we saved our religious frustrations for these Theological Games instead of participating in the perennial violence, hatred, and bickering which overwhelm our lives and conscious today?

I say let representatives from each faith duke it out on the field of brotherly competition, bringing honor to the faiths, and leaving the rest of the world in peace. Within this stadium of ideals, the struggle becomes a form of iron sharpening iron and we all improve in our humanity.

Written by Andrew Bowen of Project Conversion

A Timeless Classic

Since childhood, I have been fascinated by the worldwide event that remains a timeless classic….the Olympics. With my family, I would sit, night after night, mesmerized by the feats of fancy turned reality in the lives of the athletes who had honed their crafts as surely as an artist polishes his or her own gift, so as to share it with an appreciative audience.

Such an audience sits before their televisions and in stadiums in the host city, watching and cheering as their countrymen and women give it their all. There is something about the resilience of the human spirit in the face of physical and emotional challenge that gives us hope for the future.

I enjoy taking a vicarious tour of the countryside, incorporating new words, music and cultural rituals.

From the opening ceremony to the dousing of the torch at the close, there is a sense of anticipation and then satisfaction, as if enjoying a luscious meal; a smorgasbord for the all the senses. Although the athletes are on competing teams, it seems that a bonding takes place, which appears different from professional sporting events. They learn about each other’s cultures and traditions, which sets an example for those of us in the stands. If they can live in harmony in the Olympic Village, so too can the rest of the world find common ground.

Written by Edie Weinstein of The Bliss Blog

Setting Aside Differences

What is it that makes us gather to support young athletes from the four corners of the earth? Perhaps it’s because for a short time we don’t see each other as enemies, but as competitors. Our countries don’t have to agree on politics or policies. They don’t have to defend their beliefs or traditions. We all must play by the same rules and each can master their own sport and concentrate on winning.

People don’t have to look over their shoulders to see if they are being followed. They don’t have to be concerned with their individual safety. The security at these games is pretty intense, and there are trained people protecting the players and guests at all times. Everything from individual screenings to no fly zones are in place to assure the safety of all. This allow the participants to focus on the life changing experience of representing their country in the Olympic Games. They can socialize with people from other nations. They can learn about other cultures. Their families can share in the excitement; and all without worrying about being harmed in some way by those who are normally our enemies.

In the big picture, our nations may be at war with each other or in a nuclear arms race. We may have human rights issues with them or think they aren’t good neighbors. But, when we are at the Olympics we can just relax and enjoy watching the world’s best perform.

There is plenty of time to fight and disagree amongst ourselves back in the real world. The Olympic Games give us a few day of peace, security, and the opportunity to compete with the best athletes in the world.

Written by Diane Hanny of Small Town America

The Olympics Inspire Movies that Inspire Us

As someone who reports regularly on the crossroads between Faith, Media & Culture for Beliefnet, what is most remarkable about the games to me is how they organically result in real-life stories of faith and inspiration – stories which, inevitably, result inspirational movies.

If you want to be inspired, checkout 1981’s Chariots of Fire. Directed by Hugh Hudson, this fact-based British film won the Best Picture Oscar for its story of two Olympic runners competing in the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris. Eric Liddell (Ian Charleson) is a Scotsman and Christian who views running as a means to proclaim his faith in God. Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross) is a British Jew who runs to take a stand against bigotry. It ranks 19th in the British Film Institute's list of Top 100 British films.

There are many more, of course. And, most probably, this year’s games will produce additional fodder for Hollywood.

Written by John W. Kennedy of Faith Media and Culture

A Goal Worth Praying For

Melly is the proud mother of an Olympic athlete. For 12 years, she has been by her daughter’s side in the gym, while traveling, and even in the brief moments of free time. There isn’t much room for a personal life for mother or daughter.

When the games begin this summer, Melly will be in London cheering on her talented athlete. She’s used to it. Over the years, there have been countless meets and competitions where she sits in the stands with the other moms. They’re all doing the same thing, rooting for their own, and praying for victory.

Yet it’s not only high scores that Melly prays for. She prays that her daughter will remain healthy, be happy, and that gymnastics will be the missing link in the plan for peaceful co-existence. Sounds crazy doesn’t it? But the moms of Olympic athletes know something the average person may not realize.

No matter where you’re from, or what you believe in, the commonality of achieving a goal worth praying for is one heck of a unifying element. The love of a sport, and its pinnacle: The Olympic Games, brings people of the world together to compete peacefully. No guns, bombs, or drones. For the folks in Melly’s world the only things needed to win are talent, training, and the grace of a loving God, shared by all.

Written by Susan Diamond of Prayables

Children of the Same God

The Olympics is a truly wonderful time. It is one time, every two years, where people from every inch of the globe come together to compete in various athletic events. There is no politics, no Realpolitik, no "Great Game" of nations and empires; there are only running tracks, and swimming pools, and javelins, and batons. During these games, we can all come together and see the truth of who we are: people. Yes, we have different skin tones, different languages, different cultural practices, but in the end, we are all people, children of the same God.

Indeed, there have been times when politics and conflict has defiled the games. I pray they never do so again. But, what I love about the Olympics is that we can come together and be one world in peace. And if we can take that spirit back to our home countries, after the games are through, then our world would be a much better place. That is my prayer for the Olympic Games.

Written by Dr. Hesham A. Hassaballa of Common Word, Common Lord

The Language of Humanity

The world is shrinking. Technology connects people across oceans and continents: 30% of the world’s population uses the Internet; one in eight people are on Facebook; and over 85% use a mobile phone.

When Olympians gather this summer, they will connect the old-fashioned way: face-to-face, hand-to-hand and personality-to-personality. The athletes speak different languages yet they will share their victories and disappointments, eat together, exchange tips and forge friendships.

My most memorable I-don’t-speak-your-language connection came in college. I traveled to a summer internship in Togo, West Africa. A final plane change came in the Republic of Benin. I descended and walked the tarmac into the small airport. Then panicked. Every word being spoken was unfamiliar. Flight schedules were posted in French. I knew nine French words—maybe.

Which plane was headed to Togo? Which gate? An agent puzzled over my ticket in English. He couldn’t help me.

Dismayed, I scanned the airport populace. I shoved my ticket in the friendly face of a man. Parlez vous Anglais? I need to board one of these planes but I have no idea which one, I said.The man studied my ticket then pointed to an aircraft two gates away. He grunted, which I interpreted to mean, I can’t say it in English, but there is your plane.

Dazed but too afraid not to trust his direction, I boarded the plane.

Half an hour later it landed in Togo.

A stranger and I exchanged the one thing we had in common—humanity. One human needed the help of another. That language was understood perfectly.

Connections Olympic athletes and their fans make continue when the games end. Begun face-to-face, spread via cell towers and satellites, the language of humanity reverberates.

The world shrinks.

Written by Gloria Rose of On Fire

An Inspiring Olympic Love Story

Olympic gods could not skate better than Katya Gordeeva and Sergei Grinkov. The 1988 Calgary and 1994 Lillehammer Olympic gold medalist figure skaters performed feats we mere mortals could only dream about. Named by People as one of the 50 "Most Beautiful People" in 1994, Katia radiated peace and confidence in her skating. Sports Illustrated deemed her “the most enchanting champion in skating.”

As Soviet skaters, right before the fall of communism, Katya and Sergei demonstrated the power of sports and the pursuit of excellence to overcome international politics and strife.

Their evident love transcended divisions. Instead of two athletes skating together, they seemed to be one.

Sergei’s sudden death from a heart attack at age 28 in 1994 shocked the world. So strong, so young, and yet subject to the same mortality as each one of us. Twenty-four year old Katya became mother and father to their three-year old daughter. Despite her loss, Katya continued to exude peace and grace, especially when she skated a tribute dance to Sergei in 1996.

Just as Katya and Sergei’s skating had uplifted their fans, Katya’s conduct as a grieving widow and single mother inspired others facing similar circumstances. Her book, My Sergei: A Love Story became a bestselling source of strength for those in despair.

While her strength on the ice won her gold medals, her strength in the face of tragedy had a deeper and more lasting effect. A gold medal cannot be shared, but Katya shared her heart of gold with the world.

Written by Gayle Trotter of The Road You’re On