Source: CCTV.com

09-16-2008 16:53

by Doug Peterson, an American in China

When I arrived in China in 2000, the question I was asked most often was whether I thought China would get the bid for the 2008 Olympics. I always answered yes and felt that they would, because it was China's time. The rest is history.

In August of 2008 the Olympics in Beijing were kicked off with a Gala Opening Ceremony. The games were a tremendous success for Beijing and for China. Prior to the Olympics many people throughout the world had never had the opportunity to visit China or knew very little about China. The Olympics gave China the opportunity to open up their country and society to the World. During and after the games China was acclaimed throughout the world for their extravaganza in presenting the opening and closing ceremonies and the games of the 2008 Olympics.

The Olympic Games is a gathering place every four years for the athletes of the world to compete against one another in harmony. It is not about where you are from, the color of your skin or your ethnic background. It is about people from all over the world coming together in friendship and peace. To get to know each other and create friendships that will last a lifetime. A time for the athletes to show off their skills and abilities in their respective fields of competition, for all the years of training they have put in.

Needless to say, China not only showed the world how well they could put on the Olympics but also how well their athletes were prepared to compete. They received the most gold medals in Olympics history and have set the stage and new standards for all the games to come.

Presently the Paralympics are in progress. I don't know how many of you have had the opportunity to watch any of the Paralympics, but I am amazed at how well the athletes with all of their disabilities are competing against one another. I have seen a young man from Italy with no arms win gold in the backstroke in the 100 meter swimming competition, I have watched a young Chinese girl, Jiang Fuying with no arms win a bronze medal in the same category. Mr. Zhang, a man confined to a wheel chair win the gold in table tennis competition in his bracket, later his wife also won gold in her category. A beautiful young lady from Poland with one arm, won gold in table tennis and she also competed in the Olympics.

The stories go on and on. To all of the participants in swimming, track and field, cycling, basketball, and all categories of competition. My hat is off to all of you.

I think we should all be thankful for what we have and how easy we have it in life. We too often only think about ourselves. When we see something like the Paralympics, and watch these people compete with all their disabilities, we should feel very humbled.

I have watched many of the Olympics over the past 71 years of my life, but in all honesty, I have never truly appreciated them as much as I have in 2008. The reason being, this was the first year I have watched the Paralympics. It gave me a whole new view and perspective of the Olympic and Paralympics tradition. I am truly touched and amazed by these people with all their disabilities participating in the Paralympics. It is not about winning gold, silver or bronze, it is about participating.

My heartfelt thanks go out to them and to China for hosting the Paralympics and televising them without favoritism for the world to see.

 

Editor:Xiong Qu