Being held under COVID’s shadow, the Olympics promise to shift the focus to human spirit
The centuries-old motto of the Olympics, Citius, Altius, Fortius (Latin for “Faster, Higher, Stronger”), seems to be more relevant at this year’s Tokyo Games than it has ever been before as the world’s “biggest sporting carnival” is being held under the ominous shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic. For the first time in the history of the Games, no fans will be allowed inside the stadia. Sadly, the fastest man and woman in the world will get to the finishing line without the spectators’ applause and cheer. It is heart-rending that the opening parade of nations, where the smallest to the largest contingent wave their flags with pride, will turn their heads to look at empty stands. The stadia’s belly would this time be bereft of the sounds of the usual drum-beating, whistling and waving of national flags. The loud cheering, clapping and cries of “Bravo!” not only lift the mood of any competitive event several notches but in fact electrify it. As lawyer-activist and author Kanhaiyalal Mishr ‘Prabhakar’ beautifully put it: “Yudhh mein jai bolne waalo ka bhi bahut mahatv hota hai (Even the spectators who encourage and support the warriors or gladiators carry a lot of importance).”
Though the organisers allowed the Games, apparently in the spirit of “life must go on”, mercifully a COVID emergency has been declared in Tokyo. This might seem a bit harsh on avid supporters and the players themselves, especially in the wake of the recently-concluded football’s Euro Cup and the Copa America at the Wembley and the Maracana Stadium, respectively. Though the in-person attendance was limited at the two championships owing to social distancing norms, the fact is that the organisers of these two premier football championships did ignore the World Health Organisation (WHO) warning. But the sunny side of the development in Tokyo is that for a fortnight beginning Friday, July 23, the focus of the headlines will shift from the ongoing gloom-and-doom scenario to the newest heights that the body and spirit of humankind achieves in the sporting arena. With 11,000 athletes from 206 countries competing in 33 disciplines, new records and new champions are sure to emerge. The Olympic Games symbolise the triumph and celebration of the unity of all human power, tolerance, peace, mutual respect and universal brotherhood. These also symbolise how humanity over the centuries has set new records of physical endurance and excellence.
