The Winter Olympic Games do not have as great a following in Malta as there is for the summer games. None of the 15 sport disciplines that form part of the 16-day event currently being held in Turin are practised in Malta for obvious reasons – the lack of snow.
Malta is therefore not represented in the 20th edition of these Games, although it must be said that there are other countries where it never snows either but who are still represented in Turin. This is largely because some of their nationals live abroad, in countries where there are facilities for sport on the snow, and they can therefore practice enough to be able to carry their country’s flag.
Perhaps, one day, someone of Maltese descent can represent our country at such games. The Malta Olympic Committee has often found athletes of Maltese descent who have represented Malta in other competitions such as the Small Nations Games, so with some extra effort we could possibly participate.
Last Friday’s spectacular opening ceremony was another example of how sport can be a unifying factor in the turbulent world we live in.
Many of the participating nations were at war against each other in the past or may still be in conflict with another country, and yet their athletes were there, behind their national flag, proud to be representing their country irrespective of the results that they will be obtaining.
Of high significance was the fact that the contingents from North and South Korea marched together, although they will be competing separately. It could yet be another sign that the two sides might be moving closer to each other. Of course, there are still big differences that need to be ironed out, but at least, for one evening, sport managed to unite.
What is unfortunate is that large sport manifestations cannot be considered as free from threats, and there have been occasions in the past when they provided the chance for terrorists to act. The 1972 happenings in Munich are just one example.
This is leading the Italian organisers to take no chances, and the level of security that is being provided is of the highest, to the extent that there have already been complaints that, for example, it is taking too long for people to move from one place to another because of the searches that are being carried out.
Yet, in the world in which we are living, the Italians are doing the right thing in leaving no stone unturned to provide as much security as is possible. We all hope that they will be effective enough and that no incidents will occur.
Sport has its own big battle to fight, a battle that has often marred its own ideals. The taking of illegal substances to enhance performance involves a long, hard fight that will be hard to win, if it is possible at all. There have already been a number of athletes who have been suspended in these games and it will be no surprise if others are caught along the way.
What is important is that the authorities continue to take the matter seriously, and hand down tough sentences to the perpetrators. There have been many athletes who have been caught taking illegal substances to enhance their performance – and not only at the Olympics – and there will be others in the future. But the fact that the fight against doping in sport is given so much relevance by the sports authorities is a clear indication that they mean business.
The Winter Olympics in Turin are yet another example of how sport can bring together peoples from around the world under one roof.
It is healthy to compete, it is healthy to try to beat your opponents, it is healthy that one tries to set new records. But the most important thing is to participate.