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Olympic Movement that has enriched my life many times over. I regret that I did
not get to know all of you. It is sport that binds us together, and it is sport that
brought us here to Olympia. Will a world be a better place because we came to
Olympia? Are we perhaps, too idealists? Can the world follow our example and
live together in peace like we have here in Olympia? That is really up to you.
I believe that the great Jesse Owens was right when he said that no matter what
field you come from, the world of art or science, the business world or the world
of sport, everyone can be a champion in your own right. I believe that each of you
is a champion in some way, or you would not have been selected to participate
in this special occasion. You have great potential. Please don't underestimate
yourselves!
One week before I came, an acquaintance asked me why I was coming to
Greece. I explained to him the program of the IOA and I also told him about
Olympic Solidarity. He was very surprised to hear about this and he said he only
knew about the Olympic Games and he had some negative impressions because
of doping, the Olympic scandal, and the win at all cost-attitude of some athletes.
He said he was glad to hear these things. Then he left. Ten minutes later he
returned. He came to me and said: "I just had to come back and tell you that
this morning I was depressed and unhappy. Now, because of your obvious
enthusiasm and excitement about Olympism, I feel very happy and I wanted to
thank you for sharing all of it with me." This made me feel so good, that I had
cheered him up just by telling him the positive messages of Olympism.
During these past days, we have all been empowered by Olympism. I would
like to encourage each of you to take this flame of Olympism, and be bold enough
to spread its messages, and pass the torch to others.
I want to leave you with these thoughts which are my fundamental principals.
"Most of what I really need to know about how to live, and what to do, I learned
in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the school mountain, but the in the
sandbox at school.
"These are the things I learned. Share everything. Play fair. Don't hit people.
Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Don't
take things that aren't yours. Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody. Wash
your hands before you eat. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. Live
a balanced life. Learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and
dance and play and work every day some. Take a nap every afternoon. When you
go out into the world, watch for traffic and hold hands and stick together. Be
aware of the wonder of life."
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