The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take
part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the
struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought
well.
These famous words, commonly referred to as the Olympic Creed, are
attributed to Baron Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the Modern Olympic
Games. Whatever their origins, they aptly describe the theme behind each and
every Olympic competition, as well as the spirit that can be felt by all
those who participate in or are touched by the Olympic flame and Olympic
torch relay. Each Olympic torchbearer-whether an Olympian or not-plays a
small but important part in the events leading up to the Olympic Games,
earning a piece of history in the Olympic annals, even if it is not for
athletic achievements.
The goal of this book is to both educate and recognize all those touched by
the spirit of the Olympic Movement through the journey of the Olympic flame
on its passage from Olympia, Greece, to its final destination in the host
city for the summer or winter Olympic Games. While only a very small
percentage of the world's population will ever have the opportunity to
witness an Olympic Games firsthand, countless individuals since 1928 have
experienced the Olympic spirit via the Olympic flame as it has passed
through their communities, igniting a flame in each of us. The long journey
of the Olympic flame every two years can be likened to the journey most
Olympic athletes must endure prior to competing in the Games. For those who
have seen the Olympic flame, the spirit of the Olympic Movement burns
brightly in their memories for many years after the actual celebration of
each.
