THE 2021 Olympics is currently taking place in Tokyo, Japan. It was originally scheduled to be held from July 24 to August 9, 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic it was rescheduled and is currently being held behind closed doors with no spectators allowed under the host country’s emergency laws.

This is the first time the Olympic games have been postponed and rescheduled in its long and eventful history. And even though the origins of the Olympics can be traced way back to Greece since 776 BC, it was not until 1896 that the first modern Olympic games were held in Athens, Greece. Without a doubt, it continues to be the single largest sporting event in the world.

Guyana, like so many other nations, is currently participating in the Olympic Games. This is not the first time that the country is taking part in the games. This is the 18th time the country has participated as an independent nation, although it was previously represented under the name British Guiana. In fact, Guyana first appeared in the Olympic Games in 1948 in London under colonial status, but as a full-fledged, independent nation in 1968 at the Games in Mexico.

As a relatively small nation, we have not done badly over the decades. Boxer Michael Anthony Parris was the first and so far the only athlete from Guyana to win an Olympic medal. He was awarded the bronze in the bantamweight division at the 1980 Games in Moscow. Others who have also done well included Jennifer Inniss, who was placed 13th in the women’s long jump at the Olympics Games in 1980 and 1984, and triple jumper Troy Doris who reached the men’s final at the Rio Games in 2016. More recently, Aliann Pompey excelled in the 400m in several consecutive Games, her best performance of which was in the 2008 Games in Beijing, where she was ranked among the top 10.

Winning an Olympic medal can be quite daunting, given the highly competitive nature of the games. Of the 206 countries and territories that participated in the games over the years, there are 72 countries that are still to win a medal at the Olympics.

No one can downplay the value of an Olympic medal in terms of fame, glory and prestige, both to the athletes and the nations they represent. But when seen from a broader perspective, it is not so much the fact of winning or losing that matters, but the spirit of the games that really counts. The mere fact of participating in the games is already emotionally satisfying, rubbing shoulders with participants from all over the world. The motto of this year’s games, “United by Emotions,” captures the sentiments and mood of people all across the globe. Indeed, the games offer that unique opportunity to bring nations and peoples together in an environment of cordiality and friendship and in a deeply profound way.

Guyana is participating in seven disciplines, namely athletics, boxing, swimming and table-tennis. And even though the country has not as yet picked up any medals, its showing in the games so far has been nothing short of impressive. They have all represented us with pride and dignity and not surprisingly Guyana was named among the best-dressed nations at the opening ceremonial parade. The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the Guyana Olympics Committee must be commended for putting together a good team to represent us. Special commendations are in order for Table Tennis star Chelsea Edghill and Boxer Keevin Alicock for their spirited and impressive performances. They have indeed made us all proud.