大象传媒

After the excitement of the Euros, now we have the Olympics to look forward to. The Olympics down the years have showcased genuine human endeavour.听

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I remember the Olympics in 1984; the media focussed on a young athlete called Carl Lewis. He was such an exceptional all-rounder it was thought he could break the 16 year old record in the long jump. The record was set by Bob Beamon who jumped 8.9 Meters in what was known as the jump of the century.听

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Sixteen years later Beamon was asked to take part in a TV commercial to publicise the 1984 Games. He recalled the jump he made in 1968; now, he told us, he sits in front of his TV waiting on some young athlete to smash his record.

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鈥淭his year there is another athlete whom people say could do it,鈥� Beamon said referring to Lewis. 鈥淭here鈥檚 just one thing I want to say to that young man.鈥� Viewers waited for some arrogant put down from Beamon. Instead his face brightened and he graciously encouraged Lewis saying: 鈥淚 hope you make it kid. I really do.鈥澨�

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Lewis did win the Gold medal in the long jump in 1984 but Beamon鈥檚 record lasted another five years when Mike Powell jumped two inches further.

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Great as Olympic success is, we need to acknowledge that human endeavour can be celebrated in many forms. Last week I visited a Rehabilitation centre here.听

There was a young man in his twenties who was once a talented footballer. Twelve months ago a dreadful car crash left him paralysed. The medics have spent endless weeks trying to convince themselves, and him, that he might walk again. Last week I saw him take just one step on his own.听

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Winners of gold medals in the Olympics will deserve the adulation they will receive. But for me, none of them will have achieved a fraction of what that young hero did.听听Not one of us in the room would swap the magic of that precious moment for all the glory of a summer in Japan.听

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听I hope you make it kid. I really do.