| Since 1896 the Games have been held every four | | | | Columbia, home to the 2010 Games, threw its arms |
| years with the exception of the World War years of | | | | wide to embrace and welcome the world into their |
| 1916, 1940 and 1944. The Winter Games were first | | | | lives. The city of Vancouver, like anyone expecting |
| held in Chamonix, France in 1924 with 300 athletes | | | | guests from out of town that they haven't seen for a |
| representing 16 nations. In the 2010 Winter Games, | | | | long time, polished and prepared their city for its |
| there are 5,500 athletes and officials representing 82 | | | | important guests; people from around the world. |
| countries. | | | | As the athletes meet each other and compete for the |
| The five rings featured at all Olympics Games | | | | various medals to take back to their home countries, |
| represent five continents. These five rings are | | | | they have a wonderful opportunity to continue to |
| interlaced to display the universality of the Olympics. | | | | promote this unity and friendship that was so obvious |
| The Games were originally encouraged to promote | | | | during the torch relay. As the athletes work together, |
| world peace. | | | | perhaps friendships will evolve and endure. They have |
| As the media has followed the torch across Canada | | | | much in common - they are all determined, willing to |
| from one community to another, one can see that it | | | | work hard, self-disciplined and focused. |
| has promoted unity, friendship and fellowship between | | | | Hopefully, while this historic event unfolds, one of the |
| provinces, communities and neighbors. The torch, on its | | | | meanings of the Olympics, which is to foster world |
| longest relay in Olympian history, has broken through | | | | peace, will continue and will unite the world in friendship |
| racial and economic borders with the enthusiasm and | | | | and love. When we get to know our neighbors from |
| excitement it has engendered. | | | | around the world, we will realize they are much like us. |
| And while watching the opening ceremonies of the | | | | I believe the promotion of world unity and peace can |
| 2010 Games, I saw how the province of British | | | | best be achieved by individuals working together. |
