I must admit that I have really enjoyed watching the fantastic televised coverage of the Olympics over the last couple of weeks. This event which takes to the world stage every four years is a tribute to the determination of the human spirit. When you think about the hours of training that each athlete has undergone in order to get to the level required to compete at the Games it is mind boggling to most of us.

The Olympics is really representative of the rich diversity of humanity – culture, ethnicity, religion, patriotism, creativity and spirit. Yet it is also indicative of the boundaries that also separate us. It is interesting to see the dynamic contrast between individual athletes competing in the spirit of friendly competition on the one hand and the unbridled nationalist fervour shown by their supporters and home countries on the other. It is the latter which has the effect of distancing us from our global human family. It has been and is also the cause of much continued suffering in the world. Continue reading →