Let the Games Begin

"The six colours, including the white background, represent the colours of all the world's flags ... this is a true international
emblem."                                                                                     
                                      - Pierre de Coubertin

So were you one of the one billion people around the world watching the opening ceremonies last evening? 



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Mr. Cottage and I stayed up quite late.  I wanted to see the torch being lit so I kept watching until that moment.  As a youngster, I can remember watching the Olympics on television and was in awe over some of the achievements these athletes performed.  I never really got into watching the opening ceremonies until just within the past 10 years or so.  I was always more fascinated in watching the athletes themselves and I still enjoy watching their performances against each other.

I wanted to share with you some information I found from the Olympics Museum's website.  Did you know...

• The meaning behind the rings - The five rings represent the five continents and they are interlaced to show the meeting of the athletes of the world.  The six colors of the flag, white being the background, represent all the nations.
• The motto - CITIUS-ALTIUS-FORTIUS means FASTER-HIGHER-STRONGER. 
• The flame - Is lit in Greece and can only be lit by the sun's rays.  Each relay runner carries his or her own torch and it is the flame that is passed from runner to runner.  The initial lighting of the flame in Greece and the first torch relay took place in the lead-up to the 1936 Games in Berlin, Germany.

So this gives you a little insight and a short lesson.  Enjoy watching and cheering for your favorites!