Editorial: Good sports

The
Catholic Weekly
Online

Sydney
22 August 2004

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Editorial: Good sports

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Editorial: Good sports

AUSTRALIANS have had the opportunity over the past week or so to enjoy what has been termed the nation’s other “religion” – sport, and the most elite sport at that.

The Olympic Games’ ancient origins, in Greece, almost 3000 years ago, were indeed dedicated to the Olympian gods, and continued for nearly 12 centuries, until the Emperor Theodosius decreed in AD 393 that such “pagan cults” be banned.

Still, our Christian tradition allows us to participate in and enjoy the spectacle of sport as an expression of our God-given humanity and in obedience to the gospel direction to make the most of our talents.

St Paul himself in his first letter to the Corinthians used sport – a footrace – as an analogy for striving for the ultimate reward: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it”. (1Corinthians 9: 23-25).

The Olympic Games are said to bring out and display the best athletic skills and abilities in those that take part. They are also said to foster good relations between both individuals and nations. And in large part this is true.

It is exhilarating to witness the world’s best athletes in action; it is satisfying, appealing to our national pride, to see our own athletes crowned with wreaths and clutching gold, silver and bronze trophies.

The wins of greats like Ian Thorpe are thrilling – Australians love their sporting heroes and wish them on to victory.

But the success of lesser known athletes like trap shooter Suzy Balogh inspire and reassure us that glory is possible even for those who have been told in their careers that they are “too old” or “too talentless”.

There’s a lesson here for all of us “also-rans” to strive harder – and not just as athletic competitors.

The motto of the modern Olympics: “Citius, Altius, Fortius” (Latin for swifter, higher, stronger) was borrowed from Fr Henri Martin Dideon, the principal of Arcueil College in Paris.

It can serve us all on the sporting field that is our lives.