Gladiators of Peace

To breath the dream of gladiator sweat Is to take your fear and drown it with courage. Though heart it would burst, the mind cannot turn. The gold is the prize and destiny belongs to you. To be the best is not enough chivalry demands your conduct and honour is given to the vanquished for you are an Olympian. The body is your temple desire is your ambition. The lungs that carry this quest, that Olympus gave the world will make you a god for a day. The recipe is simple, take the glory of youth these first buds of spring. Season their first step with a lesson defeat is your companion, but “I will” is your power and the hurdles of life will fall. Mind over body is your strength perfection and grace your goal, only gods ignore the pain when limbs say enough. You who pour your being into peddle and water and tame the wind with sail. The loneliness of speed, the endurance of marathon the silence of target and the release of flight will take your soul to the edge of an impossible dream. And the years that you give waiting for harmony to arrive, will define the mountain you climb. The world has chosen you to be a gladiator of our time. And privilege is for mortals who watch to share the emotion of them. In this moment our blood is one for they are no longer alone. We will win together we will lose together and honour will wipe our tears. And when the arena is empty the memory will be “I was there” To see the spirit of this earth. The voice of nations cheering as one our differences celebrated Within the glory of these Olympics. Strangers brought together arm in arm within these rings. The hand of friendship has crossed the seas, respect is the legacy for Neighbours now are we. And when our children look up to ask why we cheer and cry we will plant the dream, that these are your brothers and sisters, tomorrow you will play with them. And should you fall the voice of country will pick you up this flag will endure your trials for victory belongs to you, and the tears of pride belong to me. A mere mortal who was honoured to witness your Olympian dream.