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ent and crystal clear when experienced.
A vision of Olympism differing from the above, prevalent unfortunately in the
major cultural zones of the globe, with a different interpretation of this spirit, does
not serve the values of Olympism, does not aim at its perpetual validity through
the ages to come, but is fragmented and loses its immortality in the pursuit of selfinterest
— it is then as if time itself is fragmented and reduced to nil. Then it cannot
be erected as an emblem of the gate to the 20th century. Because through the
pursuit of self-interest it becomes polluted, loses its beauty, its power is weakened,
its radiance is diminished, its messages to humanity are shrivelled like falling leaves
and it loses its inherent power to transform man and elevate him from the dust
and the earth to the world of the stars.
Nothing, however, can imprison the inherent power of Olympism so much as
the arrogance of its «traders», its commercialization, its contact with commercial
transactions.
This aberrant theoretical and practical realization of Olympism has no relation
to its authentic identity which includes the most genuine and immaculate concept
of humannes.
This is the faith in the divine core of Olympism.
It is the determined expression of an integrated consciousness which sets itself
against the compromises and concessions of lowly debased life.
It is my unshakable view that it is highly necessary to adhere with faith and respect
to the reality of life expressed by the Olympic Spirit, this spirit is a way of life,
a way of existence.
It is also a breath of inspiration, a means of reference and a means of transcendence.
Let me close my address with the appeal and the motivation to you to continue
faithfully to adhere to this spirit which appeals to the ideals of all humanity ; also
with the wish that the work of this Session may be crowned by success and bear
fruit.
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