Faster, Higher, Stronger, and now 'together'

On Tuesday, the International Olympic Committee passed a resolution to add "together" to its motto of "Faster, Higher, Stronger".

That's not only a call for greater unity in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, but also the trend of the times and the spirit of the Olympic Games, indeed the global sports fraternity.

The same point was highlighted at the just-concluded European Cup when Danish soccer player Christian Eriksen suffered a heart attack during a Group B clash against Finland. A doctor arrived in eight seconds and all possible medical help within 52 seconds, and he was rushed to a hospital in Copenhagen and fitted with a cardioverter-defibrillator. Also, the match was stopped, with all the players and officials focusing on getting Eriksen to hospital.

Irrespective of who wins, it is more important for everyone to participate in and enjoy the game safely.

That's what the Olympic Games, or any other sports tournament, should be about. It should not just be a competition to win gold, but one that unites people's hearts.

There have been occasions when the pursuit of "Faster, Higher, Stronger" has led some to commit illegal acts, such as taking performance enhancing drugs.

Some cities are even averse to hosting the Olympics. When Tokyo hosted the Summer Games in 1964, it was the biggest event for the whole of Japan, which used the opportunity to improve its infrastructure, and boost its economy.

This time, however, according to an opinion poll, more than 50 percent of the respondents are unwilling to support such development, because of the novel coronavirus outbreak, which seems to have split the world.

That's essentially why the "together" is important. At a time when anti-globalization sentiments are on the rise, sports can be a unifier.