JACOB PEENIKAPARAMBIL: The International Olympic Committee had chosen a new motto for the Olympic Games in Tokyo: “Faster, Higher, Stronger- Together”, in order to communicate the message that we move forward when we move together. The innumerable problems facing humanity today demand fostering international solidarity and cooperation. Hence the spirit of Olympics goes beyond stiff competitions and winning medals.
A brilliant example for growing together was demonstrated at the final of men’s high jump at Tokyo Olympics. Italy's Gianmarco Tamberi was facing Qatar's Mutaz Essa Barshim in the final. Both of them jumped 2.37 meters and were on par. Olympic officials gave three more attempts to each of them, but they were unable to reach more than 2.37 meters.
One more attempt was given to two both of them, but Tampberi withdrew from the last attempt due to a serious leg injury. It was the moment when there was no other opponent in front of Barshim, the moment when he could have easily approached the gold alone.
But Barshim asked the official "Can the gold be shared between the two of us, if I withdraw from the final attempt?" The official checked and confirmed and said "Yes, the gold will be shared between the two of you". Barshim then had nothing to think about; he announced withdrawal from the last attempt.
Seeing this, the Italian opponent Tamberi ran and hugged Barshim and screamed. What both of them demonstrated at that moment was a great sharing of love in sports that touched the hearts of millions of viewers and those who read the story of this extraordinary magnanimity in newspapers. It reveals the incredible sportsmanship that transcends religion, colour, race and nationality.
The significant values to be imbibed from sports and games are accepting victory with humility, accepting defeat with a spirit of bouncing back next time, working hard with focus and concentration and doing one’s best. Accepting victory with humility and sensitivity might have inspired Barshim to share success with Tamberi.
A good number of athletes who could not win any medal have gone back with the determination to win a gold or silver or bronze in the next Olympic Games. Those who got silver or bronze have taken the vow to transform them into gold next time. That is the true spirit of sports and games. The Women’s Hockey team of India could not win a medal, but their performance at Tokyo was amazing. That is why all Indians appreciated and congratulated them, even though they did not bring any medal. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik tweeted, “They may have lost the match, but they have won over a billion hearts. May the team continue to inspire and set the path for a golden future!”
In order to build solidarity among communities and countries competition is to be tempered with cooperation which will result in a win- win situation. Young people are to be motivated to do their best and bring out the best in them through hard work, focus and perseverance. When a person is caught up with the ambition to become first always, he may adopt unethical or foul means to achieve his goal and if he fails, the result could be disappointment and frustration which can lead to disaster in life. On the other hand, if a person competes with herself, she tries to bring out the best in her, and failure will be accepted as a challenge to improve herself.
Cutthroat competition among nations will only aggravate problems like climate change with its disastrous consequences. The world nations have to adopt win-win policies to solve various problems facing humanity. Mutaz Essa Barshim and Gianmarco Tamberi have presented a noble example before the world so that the world nations can move together towards progress, prosperity and peace.
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