It is a shame the Olympic Games last only one month every two years. The Olympic Spirit represents all that is good in the world. The games have set the standard, in addition to athletic excellence, for global harmony. It is inspiring to see the fans who attend and the spirit of the athletes that continue to compete, in the face of a fundamentally insecure environment, and an insecure world. The Olympic Games are a celebration of world-wide pride, fair international competition and, human excellence made possible through cultural unity. The Olympic Spirit is resiliant and really does live within ordinary people.

The Olympic games are about humanity's best, put forward on the field of competitive play. However, what is more important is the dimension of heart that is placed in all of this. Hearts swell with pride, not only when their own country excels or wins, but when anyone, from anywhere, with a strange face or unfamiliar language, puts forth the best he or she has to offer. This worldly pride, this moment of cultural unity, sets a good example if only for one month every two years. It allows stereotypical views of others to fade and the power of love and peace to grow

In conclusion, it is proposterous to say that the Olympics should not have a role in the new Millennium. It is true that the times have changed, and the world is now connected in many ways materially. The human race is connected through networks, computers, satellites, and other forms of technology that allow us to communicate. This is looked upon as a huge step for mankind, but what real connection is it, if it is only material? The Olympic Games demands that people be connected spiritually as well. All the technology, connection, communication, and global business will be a hollow achievement without a corresponding spiritual revolution, bringing us together, even in our differences and disagreements. The Olympics should set the standard for our behaviour as human beings throughout the world.

The Olympic Spirit not only builds cultural unity, but national pride through human excellence. 4 years ago, when the Games were in Atlanta, what kind of Canadian could one call themself if they were not watching Donovan Bailey sprint to capture the title of "World's Fastest Man"? Canadians filled with new-found national pride were appauled when Michael Johnson claimed he should hold the title. How ecstatic with delight were Canadians when Bailey, (with the Canadian Flag proudly sewn across his chest) challenged Johnson to

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Approximate Word count = 895
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)