外国语学院2001级4班 林书勤

With the advent of the 2004 Olympic Games, Athens has become “a nest of singing birds”, affording the globe a microcosm of multinational magnetism for sports. Immersed into the ocean of olive branches, multifarious nations and countries step across the boundaries, adding an epic dimension to the games, from which we are blessed to witness every trace of humanity. Whatever the athletic display turns out, be it fruition or spilled milk, it is the indomitable spirit that glitters with genuine happiness or sorrow.

Admittedly, the grand Games brave a world abundant in challenge-laden battles, in which all athletes are unexceptionally fired with a sense of heroic adventure. Take the Chinese rising star Liu Xiang and the veteran shooter Wang Yifu for example, Wang, who participates in his 6th Olympic Games, bears off the palm with his last also decisive shot, and Liu thunders in the Olympics men’s 110 meters hurdle, matching the world record of 12.91 seconds. Actually, their spirit brim over with energy, unencumbered courage and unshakable belief, which in my eyes embody the ancient Greek’s pith----human right, human strength and human freedom to pursue happiness. The Olympia glistens with Greek myth from of old, reminiscent of the voice of Thoreau:” Man is the artificer of his own happiness.”

However, the Olympic quintessence is not all about glory. Not only will the medalists’ tears of weal touch deep chords in our hearts, but also others’ moments of rue add to the charms of the grand Games of humankind, In fact, everyone is the leading character on the arena beset by a spate of possibilities. He prefers to take the risk because he doesn’t wish to miss the challenge, which requires him of an unyielding will both on and out of the spot. Li Xiaopeng, world-leading male gymnast, slumps to the low in his career, but he still manages to ward off the crush of spirit and chooses to face up gallantly to adversity, which brings him heroism and a redeeming grace. To some extent, both sorrow of defeat and happiness of victory constitute the true colors of human beings, of ceaseless pursuit for improvement, and they are woven genuinely into the texture of Olympic gist.

From what I have mentioned above, I come to the conclusion that as a place of growth for a wide diversity of athletes, the Athens Olympic Games have enriched the sporting universe with an unrivalled humanistic luster, burning a central impression into the mind of world-wide spectators.