"Cool Runnings"

"Feel the rhythm! Feel the rhyme! Get on up, its bobsled time! COOL RUNNINGS!"
By: Sanka Coffie (Doug E. Doug in "Cool Runnings")

Source: Wikipedia

A very appropriate quote at this time. In this 1993 movie, the titular quote "Cool Runnings" is said to mean "Peace be the Journey".

This delightful comedy is very suitable for most occasions. It's too bad I don't remember who I lent my DVD to, because I can't find it! Argh!!!

The story tells of 4 Jamaicans trying to make it for the Bobsledding event in the Winter Olympics. One thing you have to know: Jamaica is a tropical country and doesn't snow. Their journey to the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada is indeed hilarious and I do not wish to spoil any of it for you. As with many other "real-life" movies, it's quite loosely-based and not entirely factual, but it still makes for good entertainment.

But it's still an inspiring performance. The determination and the dreams of young individuals who have high aspirations mirror many of us. Like us, the team faced much rejection along the way, including being ridiculed and having to raise their own funds to compete. Yet all they needed was a single opportunity, and they were granted this chance.

It's just like how we are looking for that simple chance to come along, right? Sometimes we just hope that someone will take a leap of faith and trust us with an opportunity. And even if the opportunity is granted, we may face other challenges that take us out of our comfort zone.

What happens then? We are faced with something unfamiliar and "unusual", and this of course provides for the numerous belly-hugging moments of the movie, but our real lives may not be this enjoyable. It takes a lot of courage to move along, despite the resistance faced. Many of us may not even end up where we want to be, but an important part of sportsmanship, of the Olympic spirit, is that we must "finish the race". In the end, as in the titular quote, the journey is an important part of the experience and indeed, "Peace be the Journey" to us all!

Source: www.granitegrok.com

The Olympic dream has a strong significance. It symbolizes the pursuit of excellence, a key human quality. To be the best we can, to push the limits of human achievement and ability. So this leads me to congratulate our Women's Table Tennis Team at the Olympics. It is indeed a proud moment for Singapore and the country is proud of the 3 ladies, helping us to earn our first Olympic medal since Tan Howe Liang in 1960, which makes this Singapore's first medal since independence!

I think regardless of all the talk and debate about our sportsmen and sportswomen, no one can deny that we are feeling proud to be called Singaporean at this time.

How will your own "Olympic journey" be like?