Moa Jamir
“The important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well,” Baron Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympics spelt out his movement’s ideals.
As the sun sets on Rio 2016 Olympics, the 16 days sports extravaganza has shown that sportsmanship, solidarity and human resilience still perseveres. Beneath the surface marred by various scandals and, at times, acute assertion of nationalistic identity, touching moments transcending differences are borne out in the game inspiring millions and illustrating the true spirit of the game: Celebrating humanity, excellence, friendship and respect.
None was more touching than South Korean gymnast Lee Eun Ju and North Korean gymnast Hong Un Jong who snapped a selfie smiling together on the sidelines of their competition, forgetting for a moment that their countries are at loggerheads at home and peace starts with individuals.
From helplessness to hope, is what the Guardian described the first ever 10 athletes of Refugee Olympic Team made up entirely of refugees from conflict zones – dislodged, displaced and with dehumanizing experiences.
Among them, Yusra Mardini is a Syrian refugee swimmer whose talent ended up saving her life and around 20 other people, when their dinghy broke down in the Mediterranean Sea while fleeing the strife-torn country. Others consist of child soldiers, abductees and other trying circumstances.
The gracefulness of sensational young gymnast Simone Biles lies in a life filled with hardships including a stay with foster parents until her final adoption by biological grandparents.
However, beyond the individual glory, resilience and record-setting performances, lies the human instincts for friendship and generosity that have an irrepressible way of expressing the core of the game - fair play and human spirit – as the International Fair Play Committee (CIFP) seeks to emphasise.
Nobody epitomised this more than separate acts of “selflessness and exemplary sportsmanship” at the Olympic Games Rio 2016 than runners Abbey D’Agostino (USA) and Nikki Hamblin (NZL) and, beyond the Games, the Norwegian men’s handball team, the Committee said while bestowing the fair play award this year.
D’Agostino and Hamblin captured the hearts of people across the globe when they helped each other to finish the 5,000m race after both encountered mishap one way or other in the midst of the event.
The Norwegian men’s handball team was also honoured for its “gracious attitude” during a European championship match against Germany earlier this year, which saw them lose out on their Olympic dream.
When the latter scored a last minute goal when an extra player had come onto the field, the former chose not to contest the results, an illegal act, as they felt that the additional player on the field was not involved in any activities that helped the German team score the final goal.
For India, it was about how social stereotypes, taboos and class barriers were transcended when Sakshi Malik lifted India out of collective despair by winning a bronze medal. She fought against all odds including a protest by locals when she first practiced at a training centre dominated by male athletes.
“I want to inspire the next generation so that in 10 to 15 years, India can send a full gymnastics team to an Olympics and not just one athlete," Dipa Karmakar told Reuters after becoming first Indian female gymnast and the first Indian gymnast in 52 years to reach the finals without any proper funding, equipment or guidance. PV Sindhu, Lalita Babar and other female athletes have similar stories to share.
Do we need more inspiration?
For any comment, drop a line to moajamir@live.com
