Paris Olympic Games 2024

Hello Ted, Greetings

The PARIS OLYMPICS were outstanding!

As a Board member of the Atlanta 1996 Organizing Committee Tudi and I plus approximately 100 others from Atlanta and Georgia representing government, business, and community leaders assembled in Tokyo. The same number of delegates from Athens, Toronto, and 4 other international cities gathered to hear the announcement of the host city for the 1996 Olympics. Athens had invested $20 million in the bid alone; other cities $5 million each. The reward was worth it though- the winning city could gain an estimated $300-500 million in new revenue.

Olympic President Samaranch stood before the hushed crowd of 1,000.

He announced: “IT’S ATLANTA!”

Our contingent [headed by Billy Payne, the visionary and Andrew Young, the Mayor of Atlanta with a world wide positive image] went "bananas"! We were jumping up and down, hugging one another! I found myself hugging political adversaries!

ALL WAS WELL!!

I also witnessed the Athens contingent in a fistfight among themselves!

WITHOUT QUESTION, the 1996 Olympics were a great economic and image 'shot in the arm' for the city of Atlanta and Georgia. As President of the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau we were involved in hosting International VIPs and providing HOUSING for visitors around the world who would descend upon Atlanta in 1996.

PARIS had a hiccup in the opening ceremony and seemingly made positive corrections. Perhaps there were others too, however..

I was very impressed by how PARIS displayed itself to the world.

I PREDICT Paris will reap unparalleled image improvements and financial rewards as a result of hosting the 2024 Olympics.

Here are just a few of the highlights of the 2024 PARIS OLYMPIC GAMES:

SYNDEY MCLAUGHLIN- Track and Field Champion, Courageous Believer

"This 21-year-old is now the only woman in history to run under 52 seconds in the women's 400- meter hurdles and one of the preeminent faces of the new generation of track and field athletes. Sydney McLaughlin set a new world record and received the gold medal. Her words reflect her faith as she boldly said, "Records come and go, the glory of God is eternal." and "I no longer run for self-recognition, but to reflect His perfect will that is already set in stone. I don't deserve anything. But by grace, through faith, Jesus has given me everything."

SIMONE BILES and TEAM USA GYMNASTICS- World Renown Gymnasts

RAJ BENJAMIN- HURLDES- Amazing athleticism!

WOMEN'S RELAY TEAM- they exhibited comradely, physical excellence and amazed the world with their record-setting times

COLE HOCKER- Had perhaps the most amazing victory beating the 2 heavily favored with a “kick” that gave him victory

SHELBY MCEWEN & HAMISH KERR- Battled it our in a High-jump "jumpoff"

Kerr won the gold, McEwen won the silver.

KATIE LEDECKY- SWIMMING- has 14 career Olympic medals after winning four, including two gold, in Paris. Her nine career gold medals is tied for the most by any female Olympian.

Without question, Eric Liddell’s story is my favorite Olympic achievement “ever”

ERIC LIDDELL

"Eric Liddell (1902–1945) was a Scottish athlete and missionary renowned for his extraordinary achievements in both sports and faith. Best known for winning the gold medal in the 400 meters at the 1924 Paris Olympics, Liddell became a national hero in Britain for his principled stand against racing on Sundays due to his Christian beliefs. After his Olympic triumph, he turned his focus to missionary work, dedicating his life to serving in China with the China Inland Mission. During World War II, Liddell was interned in a Japanese prison camp, where he continued to inspire others with his faith and resilience until his death in 1945. His life, characterized by a blend of athletic excellence and unwavering faith, was immortalized in the film Chariots of Fire."

MY FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME- ”CHARIOTS OF FIRE”

"Many of us are missing something in life because we are after the second best, I put before you what I have found to be the best - one who is worthy of all our devotion - Jesus Christ. He is the Saviour for the young and the old. Lord, here I am."

Eric Liddell

The many positives I got out of the 2024 Olympics in Paris were:

Good sportsmanship

Athletic excellence

Crowd excitement

My favorite sports to watch were men's and women's volleyball, and men’s and women’s track and field.

ONE NEGATIVE

Sadly, the one overwhelming negative was before the France vs USA men’s basketball game. They began with each country's National Anthem.

During the National Anthem before the game, I didn't see anyone from the USA team singing our anthem or portraying outward patriotism. They looked physically strong but came across as arrogant and uncaring; prideful in themselves, yet lacking pride in their country.

In contrast, the French team proudly sang their national anthem with meaning and gusto.

Sad to say: I was hurt so deeply by the USA’s pride and arrogance that I found myself rooting for France. The USA won the hard-fought battle.

USA Men's Basketball was the only event I saw that I felt embarrassed by our representation.

A GREAT LESSON WE ALL NEED TO TAKE TO HEART

"What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" Micah 6:8

A balance of justice, mercy, and humility.

Rather than continuing to point my finger at the USA basketball team- Let's instead focus on becoming Micah 6:8 men and women of God ourselves.

This applies especially when witnessing of our faith in Christ. In my observation, that's where most believers lack humility with unbelievers and as a result, see little fruit.

WB'S GOAL IS TO HELP YOU BECOME MORE FRUITFUL

Ted

Micah 6:8

Acts 17:28

P.S. Many thanks to Ray for the Eric Liddell insights.

My thanks to Trinda for her weekly "making it look better" layouts.

My thanks to Tudi for the grammar and spelling checks.

My thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ!!

As Eric Liddell says "He is worthy of our devotion.. He is Savior to young and old."

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