Olympic spirit of reconciliation
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The Olympics, the world's greatest sporting event, draws athletes from across the globe to one city.
They educate participants and spectators in important values like self-sacrifice and respect for one’s adversaries, and provide an opportunity to overcome individualism and selfishness and make room for brotherhood and love, the only things that lead to promoting the common good on every level.
The games have an important symbolic value, and for that reason they should be looked upon with special fondness and attention.
The event also provides an opportunity to promote peace and reconciliation. The tradition of the “Olympic truce”, originating in 8th century BC Greece, asked that all wars and conflicts be suspended before and during the games so participants can travel to and from the venue safely.
Let us hope this translates to modern times, and all nations choose to respect this truce, at least until the games are over.
Paul Kokoski
Ontario, Canada
