mid-day editorial: Why the Olympics are still sacred

Even before the Rio Olympics begin tomorrow, the event has been dominating headlines, but for all the wrong reasons

Even before the Rio Olympics begin tomorrow, the event has been dominating headlines, but for all the wrong reasons.

This run-up has cast a huge shadow over the greatest sporting show in the world. First up is the fear of terrorism. There are reams of reports about Rio security and how terrorists might try to capture global eyeballs with a dirty bomb.

For those who dismiss these reports as alarmist or exaggerated, one only has to see the murderous intent of the ISIS to realise that in their eyes, this would be a spectacular attack.

And of course, there is the big bogey of sport — doping. The run-up has been riddled with reports about athletes testing positive but protesting their innocence, as coaches and support staff get dragged into the quagmire. Then there is the controversy about Rio itself, the athletes’ village, funds for the city, and the list goes on and on, far too long to be covered in the span of this edit.

With so much going on, can the lure of the Olympics remain undiminished? Granted, all the negatives, all the cheating definitely takes the sheen off for the spectator, but the Olympics still stand for the ultimate in human endeavour.
Let all the cynicism and negativity dogging the Games be put aside at least for a fortnight, as we enjoy the display of sheer effort, triumph over adversity and the strength of will.

We are watching these Games in a time and age when innocence is already lost. It would be naïve to think that sport is the clean, idealistic contest we like to dream it is. Yet, the Olympic podium is still the Everest to be climbed, and faster, higher, stronger is still the defining spirit of the Olympics.

Let’s watch the Games and suspend our world-weary scepticism for 15 days. Let us celebrate the science of the body and the sport, taken to its highest form.

Book the finest seats in the house, in front of your television sets, as the curtains go up on Rio tomorrow.

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