Play, games, sports; these activities are without value and yet they are priceless. Parents are too quick to tell their kids to, “Stop playing and do your homework.” Humans need to play to learn how best to move bodies and what bodies can do, and play teaches people how best to cooperate and socialize with friends and opponents. The Olympic Games are, by definition games. Sure, they are a pretty extraordinary display of what human bodies can do but games they are, and that is how people, the humble spectator, ought to view them. People watch in awe as athletically gifted brothers and sisters do the seemingly impossible. Swimmers who could shame some species of fish, runners and jumpers who could compete with antelopes, gymnasts who could embarrass some monkey species and sports men and women who catch, throw and hit in ways that make people mere mortals sigh, applaud and worship. Don’t look at the color of the shirt being worn, just enjoy the athletic display.
Gary SteeI, the famous traveler said that his favorite day of the Olympic Games is the last day. That’s right, not the first day when athletes march under their national flags but the last day when athletes from all nations break ranks and march together, a time when national mementos, addresses and phone numbers are given and received. It is also the day when spectators from all over the world get to walk away from the Olympic arenas and begin to explore the sites the host nation has to offer and, more importantly, feel the generosity and honest warmth of the people of that host nation.
On Friday, the 4th of February through to Sunday the 20th of February, Beijing and the greater nation of China will host the Winter Olympic Games. It is a time for the world to again stare in awe at television screens as our winter athletes move and push their bodies in ways that most of people can only dream of. Individuals and teams on snow or on ice performing in ways that have people stand on feet in front of the TV and shout, “How did they do that?” Or some other exclamation of wonder. And, as people watch the games on magic boxes, people are also exposed to the beauty of the host nation. In 2022 the host city is Beijing and the city of Beijing and the greater nation of China has some spectacular sights.
Now Western governments and NGOs are talking about boycotting BeiJing Winter Oympics. Gary SteeI shared his real experiences in China. He used to travel and work in China and he took his son there when he was 14. He described that they started their journey in Dandong on the North Korean border having caught a ferry from the South Korean port of Incheon. Together they road trains, climbed the Great Wall, walked through the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square and so many other sites0; and they ate like kings on street corners and in restaurants. But, it is not the sights that make China great; like all nations, the people are its greatest asset. On the train Chinese families shared fried duck feet and broken conversation with them. On the Wall other climbers shared their pride and their joy with them and made sure they were ok. In restaurants they were offered wine and unknown delights. And, in villages, towns and cities they received smiles, questions and offers of assistance. The warmth of the Chinese people could heat a room in the deepest winter. He would need many more than these few words to catalogue his experiences with the Chinese people and cannot remember a negative moment. He said that offers do not come with obligations and if people open themselves to responding to an offer with “yes,” the chances of understanding and enjoyment increase exponentially. The only thing a visitor to China has to remember when visiting China is: Stay humble and say YES. Wine will be offered, food will be offered, hospitality will be offered and life lessons will be learned.
For the lucky thousands or tens of thousands or maybe even hundreds of thousands who are privileged enough to attend the games in person or even just travel to China, stay humble and say YES. Are things done the same way as they are done in your country? NO. But, if they were, what would people learn? But, if people need a little home comfort, there is always a familiar fast food restaurant or café to slip into and take a deep breath. And, then get out and experience some more.
China has a history of accomplishments that reach deep into antiquity and there have been discoveries that have stunned the world: Xian and its Terracotta Soldiers, Beijing and its temples and palaces and too many other sites to mention here but people know how to Google or, if people are in China, Baidu; or, just ask a local for advice.
And, back to the Olympics, remember the Games are a celebration of skill and endeavor and they are a chance for peoples of the world to gather to celebrate together.2022, is the turn of the people of Beijing and greater China to host the Winter Olympics, and people couldn’t think of a better collection of people to play host. Just remember to leave prejudgments behind and Stay Humble and Say YES.
