YES – Games Special
Ali Campbell
Adviser for work with children and young people
OK, I know we are right in the middle of the Games . . . but, if you are doing youth work over the summer, or been let loose in the pulpit because the vicar is away (sorry, if you are the vicar and want to give someone a helping hand) . . . then read, on – just a few bits and pieces with an Olympian feel to them – and don’t forget the “games” goes on until September as – after a short break – we are right back in the midst of it with the Paralympics.
So, here you go:
- Do we sometimes let our “ego” get in the way of releasing the next generation in our churches?
- Do we think as a leader that the responsibility for carrying the “light of Christ” rests solely with us?
- How are we at passing on what we have received to others?
- What space do we create in our churches and communities for young people to “run with it”, without us as adults needing to be in control – what might we learn from the next generation if we let them loose?
3. Tell a 12 Year Old to Dream. This from twitter, “Chad le Clos was 12 when he saw his hero, Michael Phelps (aged 19) in Athens. 8 years later, Chad beat Phelps. Tell a 12-year-old to dream.”
- Phelps has won more gold medals than anyone else. This young man beat him having idolised him.
- Lets pray the next generation will do more than we have done, that they might achieve their dreams.
4. Voldersport! OK, this is also from Twitter . . . basically, you cannot mention certain words, use certain phrases unless you are an “official sponsor” of the games. Someone cleverly came up with “Voldersport” as a way of talking about the games, . . . Voldersport being a play on words - based on the villain “Voldermort” from the Harry Potter books (people were so scared of him, that they dare not mention his name) . . . so we have “Voldersport!”
- I don’t know how you might use this in your children’s and youth work – I just thought it was funny.
7. Mexico 1968 – the other man on the podium. One for the history buffs, but also a great story . . . lots to draw from and make reference to. Check out the story about the “Black Power Salute” here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968_Olympics_Black_Power_salute - if you google “black power statue” you will find a picture of the statue at San Jose State University, which commemorates the stand that these men took. You will also notice that Pete Norman, the Australian silver medallist is not on the statue, the podium has an empty space . . . for all who visit to identify with the struggle for human rights. Norman was never allowed to race for his country again and despite making the qualifying time 13 times, was not allowed to represent his country at the Munich games in 1972.
- What do we take a stand for?
- Are there some “unsung heroes”, who took a stand that have been forgotten?
- What is most important to us – that we are “seen” and praised by others, or that others might be able to follow us, stand where we have stood (in Norman’s space) and be inspired . . . we might not be “known” like Carlos and Smith – the two athletes on the statue – but will we stand up for what is right anyway?
8. The Rings. The following is quoted directly from the IOC: "The five rings represent the five continents. They are interlaced to show the universality of Olympism and the meeting of the athletes of the whole world during the Olympic Games. On the Olympic flag, the rings appear on a white background. This flag translates the idea of the universality of the Olympic Movement. At least one of the colours of the rings, including the white background, can be found on the flag of every nation in the world." The way in which the rings are interlaced has changed since the symbol was first introduced. They used to be depicted side-by-side, along a shallow arc. They are now drawn in the familiar offset pattern, with three above and two below. They are coloured, from left to right: blue (top), yellow (bottom), black (top), green (bottom), and red (top).
- A picture of a united world, around sport. Maybe the only other thing the world could similarly be united on would be music.
- London is (and during the Games even more so) a place of many races and cultures. What does the community your own young people are in look like? Many colours or one? Unity with diversity – or is everyone pretty much the same?
- The rings overlap – giving a picture of sharing and coming together. Hoe do we overlap with others? Do we keep to ourselves or live our lives in shared community? What about in the Church – are we together? Or do we split everyone up – children, young people, families, old people, clergy – how do we come together as the people of God, what unites us?
Well, there you go! Just some thoughts – make use of them however you like. If this is my last e-news before the autumn term kicks in, then have an awesome summer and (at some point I hope) a well deserved rest.
Best wishes,
Ali Campbell
Adviser for work with children and young people
One of the ways we can all do that is through Hope. You may recall the Hope 08 initiative and Hope builds on that legacy. 
