HISTORY beckons once again at the world of sports, as the Games of the XXXTH Olympiad, more popularly known as the Olympic Games, officially commence today after the opening ceremony at the newly-constructed state-of-the-art Olympic Stadium in the centre of London. Four years after the last one, it is another opportunity for Nigeria to test her ability against the athletic skills of her counterparts from other parts of the world.In an admirable display of sense of purpose by the generality of the British populace, who have shown unprecedented commitment and bold determination to show the entire world what they can do whenever they feel called upon to host the world, the British, as they had done in their two earlier opportunities to host the Olympic Games ' 1908 and 1948, and their only chance to host football's World Cup back in 1966, have once again demonstrated that they are up to the task. Not many outsiders, even insiders, could have imagined how thoroughly committed everyone concerned has been in the self-imposed challenge to again show the world what many agree is the best of the British.There had been many unbelievers who always felt that the often-repeated expressed determination of Lord Sebastian Coe (Chairman of the London Organising Committee) to deliver one of the most unforgettable Olympic Games ever hosted by any other city, are mere fanciful words from a man whose middle-distance running style during his multiple Olympic gold medal-winning days, was described by international media as 'poetry in motion.'On the evidence of what the world is seeing now, as the Games begin today, Lord Coe's legendary poetry-in-motion has successfully been transferred to staging Games that are sure to be a pride to the British, the IOC (International Olympic Committee), the Lord Coe-led London LOC, the athletes from all over the world, and importantly, the viewing public. This includes men and women around the world who are privileged to be in London for the Games, and the more than two billion Olympic faithful across the globe, who would follow the proceedings through television monitors in their homes.The Olympic Games are considered to be the world's foremost sports competition, and more than 200 nations participate. Although the Ancient Olympics was staged in 776 BC in the city of Olympia, Greece, the modern Olympic Games was founded in 1896 by Baron Pierre de Coubertin who formed the IOC in 1894, a body that has since become the governing body of the Olympic Movement; and whose structure and actions are defined by the Olympic Charter.It is worthy of note that in disparity, the Olympic Games was first held in London in 1908, with just 2,000 amateur athletes from 22 countries, as opposed to this year's Games, which has attracted over 10,000 athletes (amateurs and professionals alike) from more than 200 countries.Although it was Coubertin's dream to have an Olympic Games as a competition involving strictly amateur sportsmen, the organisers over the years (particularly from the early 1970s), have had to adapt to the varying economic, political, and technological realities of the 20th century. As a result, the Olympics shifted away from pure amateurism, as envisioned by Coubertin. And it may be just as well, because there is now a longer span in the careers of gifted athletes, as many have made successful careers of what used to be hobbies at best. Unfortunately, there was also the attending emergence of the win-at-all-cost menace, which led some misguided and inordinately ambitious athletes to seek the easy way out, by indulging in use of performance-enhancing drugs, which is threatening to destroy the integrity and credibility of the Games. That ugly trend was climaxed by the high-profile disqualification of Canada's Ben Johnson at the 1988 Seoul Games.The growing importance of the mass media created the issue of corporate sponsorship and commercialisation of the Games, which in the view of many, has helped the Olympics to grow substantially; and there are not many athletes, arguing against the trend. The preparations of the London Games have gulped $24 billion, and one wonders where this staggering amount would have come from without corporate sponsorship.This edition of the Games is poised to produce more excitement, shocks in perhaps equal measure than previous Games. A legion of sports faithful globally are dying to witness track's 'Heavyweight battle' involving the world's fastest man, Usain Bolt, former serial 100 metres world record breaker, Asafa Powell, reigning 100 metres world champion, Yohan Blake (Jamaicans all), and the uncharacteristic silent Americans ' Tyson Gay and Justin Gatlin.For the very first time, Nigeria will be going to the Olympics armed with the talent and quality of an athlete who has entered the fray of genuine contenders for a gold medal in the women's sprint events. Peaking at just the right time, the country's very own Blessing Okagbare will surely become a folk hero back home in Nigeria, if she can win the women's 100 metres gold to become the official world's fastest woman.And why not' Nigeria once produced the world's most beautiful woman in Agbani Darego. Who says a Nigerian cannot become the world's fastest woman'We wish Okagbare best of luck in her unprecedented endeavour, as we do the rest of Team Nigeria.
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