Near the end of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, the host country Greece fell into deep anxiety: despite of its largest delegate body, it had not won any gold medals yet. The whole country put all the hope on the final Marathon race. The first half of the contest was rather depressing: no Greek athlete could take the lead. But before the Greek people gave up their patience, they found an ordinary-looking Greek racer was catching up. When he made it first to run over the finishing line, the Greek audience broke into huge cheers. Excited, even the King offered his greatest gratitude to the country’s hero.

You may wonder what kind of people could make such a miracle. In fact, the winner of the Marathon race was just an ordinary postman living in a remote mountainous village. After the Olympic Games, he returned to where he lived and continued his life as a postman, peacefully, until he died.

Many years have passed since that day, but this story was firmly remembered. Olympic Games were not just about people competing to win, it conveys this message to all of us: whoever you are, and wherever you are from, you can be the winner if you are willing to dream the impossible dream.

For a whole century, Olympic Games have been inspiring generations of people and are becoming more and more attractive than ever, the slogan of which, “Faster, Stronger, and Higher”, was simple yet meaningful. Not only athletes, people from all walks of life are practicing the Olympic Spirit in their own understandings. Governments at all levels are trying their best to provide a comfortable environment for the big event; volunteers are making full preparation and ready to offer their warmest help; construction workers are working day and night to build the most qualified facilities; city dwellers are learning English and behave more friendly as to make visitors from all over the world feel at home. For Beijing, the host city of 2008 Summer Olympics, there is a great challenge right ahead that it has never experienced, but the city has full confidence not only to hold Olympics successfully, but also make it the most outstanding ever in history.

Just as many people were skeptical about Greece’s ability to win a single gold medal in the first modern Olympics, back in 2001 there was suspicion about Beijing’s ability to host such a big event. Now six years after Beijing won the bid, foreigners are convinced by what they see: powerful and convenient subway systems, modern stadiums with high technology covered in green, friendly citizens with great passion and rising vitality. All of these demonstrate a resolved and confident image of Beijing. With both improving soft and hard environment, Beijing has shown the whole world its capability.

We college students may be distant from the Olympic arena, yet all of us have some responsibility to carry out, that is to practice Olympic Spirit in our daily lives. Never be terrified by challenges, try our best to conquer the toughest obstacle, and most important, to be bold enough to dream the impossible dream. It is the most meaningful way to be part of the Olympics in my mind.

August 30, 2007 in Shanghai