Let the Olympic Games help overcome terrorism and war -- Akahata 'Current' Column, April 27
The opening of the World Olympic Games on August 13 is about a hundred days ahead. The process of selecting delegate athletes is at its height.
In swimming competitions, with the "one-game contest" system, some swimmers are overjoyed with their lucky entries while some others have to bow out by a narrow margin of several-hundredths of a second or the touch of the fingertips. The selection process makes us realize the unsparing competition among top athletes.
In women's soccer, Japan defeated North Korea, to which it lost for 13 years, and was qualified to the Olympic Games after an absence from two world Olympic Games. In ball games, Japan has entries in six events, the most ever, including women's hockey. Their performances in recent international matches allow us to expect good achievements in the Olympic Games.
In Athens, where the world's top athletes will gather, construction of sports arenas and related facilities is in progress, though some delay obliged a change in the construction plan. The bigger worry is the threat of terrorism.
Following the train bombings in Spain, the Greek government requested the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) force to stand guard. The Olympic Games at Athens will be the heaviest guarded games in history with a budget of 650 million Euros or 85 billion yen. However, it is thought that policing led by the U.S. forces, part of which is invading Iraq, may have the adverse effect of inciting terrorist attacks.
The coming Summer Olympic Games is the first to take place in the 21st century, aptly in the birthplace of the modern Olympic Games. Its founder, Coubertin, put forward internationalism in promoting peace as an important pillar for the Olympic movement. In today's world, overshadowed by the fear of war and terrorism, it is expected that the Olympic Games demonstrate its founding spirit and may help secure a future of peace and goodwill. (end)
