Olympic Fever

I

The great games are over yet again. The competition for 302 gold medals by ten thousand athletes of 204 nations has ended. The greatest sports extravaganza on earth have ended.

Earlier, this mega event was declared "open" on the auspicious occasion on 08/08/08 at 08.00, 08min. and 08 seconds by the Chinese President Hu Jintao. 94000 mob thronged the Bird's Nest to join the eye witness of the history-in-the-making. Breathtaking display of human artistry by a judicious blending of head and heart marked the opening ceremony, which was viewed by billions of stunned eyes round the world. Each performance drew more and more attraction with widely opened eyes glued to their TV sets un-blinked. And even as sporting events continued later, people talked about this great show. Economists argued about the opportunity cost of this expenditure--a whopping $240 billion! Blessed are those who joined with the greatest sportsperson mother earth has ever nursed. And let this too be a message to the entire strife-stricken world--come, let us play!

I was very enthusiastic from the beginning. And it turned out to be even beyond. Yes, I did know some such thing is going to happen on that auspicious day. (I especially consider it to be so). Because the Discovery Channel had already been showing programmes on Beijing Olympics including the Bird's Nest from about one month before, which had already hinted at what is on the offing.

Great events happened in every field from day one. Records were broken and records were made. Every nation tried its best to enlist its name into that historic book which humanity will seldom hope to forget. 'That ultimate attainment for which every committed sportsperson lives.' Whatever happened at each day enthralled even the non regular sports lover (and I have to include myself in the list regretfully). Up til now I was not fully aware of the vigour of sports, which has now completely changed once I took even the minutest note of the happenings this time. I was, however, a regular spectator of the sport since Juan Antonio Samaranch's time.

II

Let us now recollect a few names and their immortal words (otherwise my tribute to these immortal spirits would remain only half-done):

Michael Phelps, the 23 year old and the first-ever athlete to win eight gold medals at one Olympic Games, said: "Nothing is impossible...all it takes is an imagination..."

Usain Bolt, the 23 year old Jamaican set world record winning gold in 100m running in 9.69 seconds. He said: "I'm Lightning Bolt!...My name is Bolt, Lightning Bolt."

The 26-year old Russian pole vault gold winner Elena Isinbaeva said: "The sky is only my limit..."

The 50 Years old(!) Canadian Fencer Luan Jujie defeating her 18 year younger opponent said: "My body is different from 30 years ago, but my heart is strong and that is everything."

Maarten van der Weijden, the 27-year old Dutch swimmer, who was diagnosed with leukemia, spoke these bold words after winning gold in 10 km marathon: "It[the disease] taught me to think step by step and to be patient. When you are in so much pain and lying in a hospital bed, you aren't thinking about the next month, but the next hour..."

Zhang Juanjuan, who won the gold in archery for China said: "I had a dream for the gold. I've been preparing for it. I was on a mission."

Sheila Taormina, the 39 and a half year old American became the first woman to qualify for the Olympics in three different sports--Swimming, Jumping and Fencing.

Every bit of these words which came out from their heart will inspire us now and forever.