Olympic Running

Like others, Shannan and I counted the days to the Opening Ceremonies of this year’s Olympics. We enjoyed the spirit of competition and the power of the human spirit. Our fervor for the worldwide event began when Atlanta made an official bid for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. We counted the days until the lighting of the torch in July of 1996 and since that time we've remained interested. I was very fortunate to carry the Olympic Torch on the Beach Volleyball venue two days before the Games began in 1996. Later I ran the Atlanta Marathon which covered the course of the Olympic Marathon.

While running past Olympic signage in Sydney, Australia, I realize a happy accident. Unintentionally, I have been running in many Olympic host cities. The highlight among them was when I ran in the Olympic Stadium and along a small portion of the Olympic Marathon course Athens, Greece. Otherwise, I also trotted in Montreal, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, Rome, Barcelona and this year's home of the 2012 Summer Games, London.

There is much to appreciate about the Olympics, especially the individual athletes, their dedication and ability. Equally, I find the games, Winter and Summer to be a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge the world community, camaraderie, and exhibition of sportsmanship at its best.

Run in Olympic Cities.

Tom