"The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning, but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering, but fighting well."
So said Pierre de Coubertin, the French educator, partly responsible for the revival of the Olympics in 1894.
Well, this evening at 9 p.m. British Summer Time, the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games direct from London will commence, and millions of people will be watching it all round the world. This is quite a momentous event for our country, following close behind all the Jubilee Celebrations that took place only a short while ago.
We have had problems (as one of the American presidential candidates pointed out on the television news last night - and, yes, that's you I'm talking about, Mitt Romney! Apparently, he thinks that we're not ready for the Olympics. Well, if we're not ready now, it's all going to be a bit of a disaster!), but, hopefully, all those are behind us now and we will present a great spectacle to the rest of the world.
I think that most of us in the United Kingdom are praying that everything will go well, and that it will be an uplifting event for everyone. Certainly I wish all the competitors the very best of luck in all their respective events. I'm sure world records will be broken and we will all be willing on the country of our choice.
The Olympic Games celebrate the spirit of sportsmanship. The Games are also a medium to spread the message of unity and peace. I will leave you with some images of the 2012 London Olympic Games courtesy of Pinterest.
Well, this evening at 9 p.m. British Summer Time, the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games direct from London will commence, and millions of people will be watching it all round the world. This is quite a momentous event for our country, following close behind all the Jubilee Celebrations that took place only a short while ago.
We have had problems (as one of the American presidential candidates pointed out on the television news last night - and, yes, that's you I'm talking about, Mitt Romney! Apparently, he thinks that we're not ready for the Olympics. Well, if we're not ready now, it's all going to be a bit of a disaster!), but, hopefully, all those are behind us now and we will present a great spectacle to the rest of the world.
I think that most of us in the United Kingdom are praying that everything will go well, and that it will be an uplifting event for everyone. Certainly I wish all the competitors the very best of luck in all their respective events. I'm sure world records will be broken and we will all be willing on the country of our choice.
The Olympic Games celebrate the spirit of sportsmanship. The Games are also a medium to spread the message of unity and peace. I will leave you with some images of the 2012 London Olympic Games courtesy of Pinterest.
A prayer in preparation for the 2012 Games.
Eternal God,
Giver of joy and source of all strength,
we pray for those
who prepare for the London Olympic and Paralympic games.
For the competitors training for the Games and their loved ones,
For the many thousands who will support them,
And for the Churches and others who are organising special events and who will welcome many people from many nations.
In a world where many are rejected and abused,
we pray for a spirit
of tolerance and acceptance, of humility and respect
and for the health and safety of all.
May we at the last be led towards the love of Christ who is more than gold, today and forever. Amen.
Eternal God,
Giver of joy and source of all strength,
we pray for those
who prepare for the London Olympic and Paralympic games.
For the competitors training for the Games and their loved ones,
For the many thousands who will support them,
And for the Churches and others who are organising special events and who will welcome many people from many nations.
In a world where many are rejected and abused,
we pray for a spirit
of tolerance and acceptance, of humility and respect
and for the health and safety of all.
May we at the last be led towards the love of Christ who is more than gold, today and forever. Amen.
16 comments:
I will be watching them, I cannot wait for the official opening tonight! And I am sure all will be well!
We're excited over here too! just trying to decide whether to wake up at 4am in the morning to watch the opening ceremony though...still not sure!
I can't figure out what those weird shapes are meant to be in the Olympics logo?!
Yay! Go UK!
Hallo, dear Thisisme! I appreciate that quote by Pierre de Coubertin, "the essential thing in life is not conquering, but fighting well." It ties in with the second image and the slogan "keep calm and win." In NLP we learned about "mastery," the elegant execution of a challenge. Mastery happens when you combine preparation with confidence. The great soldiers and athletes are the ones who are thoroughly prepared, believe in themselves and perform their duty, task or challenge in a calm manner. I pray that the Games go well in your country, dear friend, and that people of all nations remember that they are just that, games - friendly competition - a celebration of fitness and sportsmanship - and not a platform for advancing a political agenda. I'll be watching. The world will be watching. Blessings to you and all your countrymen, dear Thisisme, and have a safe and happy weekend!
I am in agreement with that prayer. Sadly, I won't get to watch the opening ceremonies as we will be on the road to Dallas, but I look forward to next week and getting to saturate myself in it. May these be the best games yet!
So exciting that these games are taking palce in your country.
Our grandson is in training for the (future) volleyball Olympics; he is on a select team playing teams from other countries this week.
What a wonderful prayer.
If the Olympics are even close to our Diane's blog posts it will be an epic event for sure. They should show your post just prior to the opening ceremony and the world would say, "WOW" she's got it together.
Hopefully the weather will cooperate for any outside events which will probably be a lot.
Take care my sweet friend and enjoy all the greatness that this Olympics will bring.
Hugs,
Odie
Olympics how exciting
great post honey, i'm watching the tv right now!
xx
Yay Diane! YOu're absolutely right! Love all your photos and your poem. It's not a matter of can London pull it off...I never considered or worried about it. What's the matter with people who have doubts? Your great country serves tourists every day, and, with grace!
It's too exciting and will be wonderful! We'll be enjoying the ceremonies and games from our hot Texas home! lol!
London rocks! See you soon, hugs. ♥
Mitt Romney is a @&#$% who should keep his mouth sealed shut.
I hope the Olympics are a safe, wonderful experience for all who compete and watch. It isn't likely that I'll ever visit your lovely country, so coverage and the associated stories will be a treat to people like me.
I'm a Romney fan and cannot imagine what on earth he was thinking. Duh. Anyway, I'm watching the ceremony now. It has been as awesome as I knew it would be. I told my husband it was so English - full of history. I loved it.
Well I for one hope and pray for a successful Olympics for you all. sandie
Dearest Diane,
I thought I would comment after I watched the Opening Ceremony. Haha, I couldn't wake up to see the live; but I watched the highlight☆☆☆ Dear Diane!!! That was a GORGEOUS ceremony started with full of your country's historical atmosphere. I loved the songs sung in various places, gentlemen with hats, fires of the Olympic 5 rings introduced through the scene which reminds us of industrial revolution!!!
I DO hope all the players do their best and every thing went smoothly (especially held thrid one this time in your country). Yes, "the essential thing in life is not conquering, but fighting well." And I am glad your wonderful Queen looks well.
Really Happy that it stated with SPLENDID ceremony!!!
Sending you lots of love and hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*
Hi Diane,
Lovely post - I didn't get to see much unfortunately, the back side of not having a TV at hand.
Wishing you a lovely weekend!
Weather is still great over here :)
Eva
Amen :D
xoxo
Post a Comment