Thirty-six years later at the Beijing Olympics, the world is once again fighting in many wars and dealing with many disasters, such as the Cyclone in Myanmar and the earthquake in China. One can't help but to wonder what events will take place this year that will set off a chain of events that will effect our global landscape; it's all a part of the excitement that leads up to the Games.
In addition the national significance of the Olympics, the Games mean a lot to the people who participate and to their families. "I can remember the financial and time sacrifices that my family made when I was growing up," says Miller, "but it's all that I have ever known." Miller started gymnastics when she was just five years old in Edmund, Oklahoma. By the age of 12, she had already made her presence known by placing third in the Olympic Festival of 1989, a competition for rising stars. With five World Championships and seven Olympic medals, two of which are gold, under her belt, Shannon Miller is one of the most successful gymnasts in U.S. history.
Competing in these games is a dream that every young athlete has but so few get the opportunity to achieve. "I am just so thankful of all the blessings I have," Miller said when asked what it meant to have a childhood dream come true. Referring to her faith, she continued, "Win or lose, whether I fell five times or stuck [a landing], I always knew there was someone out there with me and that just takes all of the pressure off." Currently Miller contributes to media coverage of her sport and represents young athletes as they prepare for their journey to the world stage.
Larissa Latynina of the U.S.S.R, Paavo Nurmi of Finland, Birgit Fischer of Germany, Elisabeta Lipa of Romania, Thomas Alsgaard of Norway, Janica Kostelic of Croatia and Roman Fonst of Cuba have all represented their countries well and have won multiple gold medals, upholding the elite standard that was set so many years ago when Games were brought back. "We are out to compete," states Miller. "It's all about unifying the athletes and the sports in the greatest sporting event in the world." Boys and girls and men and women become heroes and heroines and are vaulted into Olympic history, and after all of the awards have been presented and they are heralded as champions, the month long athletic celebration comes to an end that is just as awe-inspiring as the opening; the president of the International Olympic Committee declares that the games are concluded and calls upon the youth of the world to return in four years to do it all over again, the flags are lowered and the flame is extinguished.
