Olympian

The word Olympian comes from Greek mythology referring to the greater gods or goddesses of the Greek Pantheon. The Twelve Olympians, Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Athena, Dionysus, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Aphrodite, Hephaestus and Hermes, were the primary deities ruling from mythical Mount Olympus. The word refers to one who is majestic or superior to others, but also refers to someone who is a native or an inhabitant of Olympia, Greece.

An Olympian for most of us today references someone who participates in the Olympic games. The first Olympic games were held in 776 BC in Olympia, Greece.  During the games an Olympic truce was called so that the players could travel safely to and from the games. The original games involved running and lasted only one day, but soon grew to one week. The prize was a wreath of laurel leaves.

The four year period between the Olympic events is called the Olympiad.

This week we celebrate the Games of the XXX Olympiad in London. The Summer Olympics last 17 days with 29 events and includes 10,500 participants from 204 National Olympic Committees worldwide.  The United States has 530 participants going for the Gold. This is clearly a time when all countries can come together in the spirit of athletic competition in a peaceful setting.  

For me it is a time of little sleep, as I find myself staying up late to watch the events. Go USA!!!  

“My goal is one Olympic gold medal. Not many people in this world can say, “I’m an Olympic gold medalist”  Michael Phelps   


“Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got a hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.”  George Bernard Shaw, Irish-Born Writer