We relish this inspiring image of an Afghan para athlete who galantly showed, even only for a moment, the triumph of the human spirit against the odds and to represent the rest of the Afghans long victim of geopolitical exploitation.
My childhood reveries took me back at the height of the "Cold War" era, when the US and its allies, including the Philippines, boycotted the 1980 Moscow Olympics in protest to the invasion of Afghanistan by the then USSR. A counter boycott of the 1984 L.A. Olympics was subsequently lodged by the later with its east bloc allies. Just an 11 year old, I remember looking at the disturbing images of the invasion superimpose with the sporting spectacle. In hindsight, I am disconcerted seeing these on the evening news and in photos of international publications subscribed to by my grandfather. My formative mind then has yet to fathom the intricacies of humanity so pernicious and unjust.
As another international sporting event unfold today, I view with dismay the shattering reality that parallels the event of the past four decades. Yet indeed there is a pervading sense of betrayal to the aim of these games, to see just one among them from an almost forsaken land compete with such dignity is a glimpse of hope for a better world.
Photo credit: www.northeasttoday.in
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