Subscriber

Colin Sheridan: Despite lack of moral courage, the Olympics is already a triumph

The Olympic Games may not be perfect, but it’s all we’ve got.

Mon, 29 Jul, 2024 - 07:26

Colin Sheridan is a writer and columnist. A former officer in the Irish Defence Forces he has extensive deployment experience as a peacekeeper with the United Nations, having lived and worked in the former Yugoslavia, West Africa, Afghanistan, Lebanon and Palestine.

I have never heard of the country of Eswatini, so suffice to say I’d also never heard of the swimmer Chadd Ng Chiu Hing Ning. Because I was oblivious to both, I’ve never thought about how early Chadd has to rise each morning to train. Whether he gets government support. Does he have endorsements, or an income from his sporting endeavours. After he trains, does he go to a job? Is he a teacher or a student? A spark or an engineer?

The same can be said for the nation Tuvalu and sprinter Karalo Hepoiteloto Maibuca. No doubt the two live very different lives, come from very different cultures, and neither is aware of the other. The only thing that bonds them is sport. The fact they are both Olypmpians. That for three weeks in Paris they have exclusive passes to a club they now have lifetime membership to. Alongside LeBron James, Rafael Nadal, Femke Bol and Tasi Limtiaco from the Federated States of Micronesia. The Olympic Games is not perfect, but it’s the best we’ve got.

This is exclusive subscriber content. Already a subscriber? Sign in