[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 138 (Monday, September 30, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12014-S12015]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO THE 1996 OLYMPICS GAMES

 Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, this year marked the 100th 
anniversary of the Olympic games. As with any Olympiad, hard work, 
blood, sweat, and tears culminated in 2 weeks' worth of contested 
international sportsmanship. The best of America, and the world, 
competed for the thrill of victory again on American soil in Atlanta, 
GA. There, over 10,000 athletes from 197 countries were brought 
together--with the world watching--to witness 17 days worth of 
comradery, expectation, determination, triumph, and defeat.
  I am proud that West Virginia played a key role in allowing the 1996 
Olympic summer games to proceed. Two historical cities of my State, 
Wheeling and Martinsburg, hosted separate Olympic time-trial qualifying 
events for cycling. This was a first. West Virginia had never hosted an 
Olympic trials event. But our role contributed to the selection of the 
most superior men and women cyclists ever to represent the United 
States. For cycling enthusiasts, the eyes of the Nation were focused on 
these world-class riders. But they also witnessed the best attributes 
of my State--the beautiful outdoors, friendly people, culture, 
communities, and spirit that defines the proud residents of Appalachia.
  The 1996 Olympic games, America's Games, began on July 19 when the 
Olympic torch entered Olympic Stadium. The torch carried a flame that 
had traveled from Athens, Greece, on an 84-day voyage to the United 
States host city. The flame represented both an ending and a beginning.
  It symbolized an ending to the first 100 years of the modern Olympic 
games. Since 1896, we have seen our world savaged by wars, famines, 
Depression, and conflict. At times, it seemed unlikely that not much 
more than the spirit of the games would survive. But it did. Each and 
every time, the flame was relit--its message of hope and strength 
brought the world

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together through the efforts, the joys, and the sorrows of individual 
athletes.
  We shall celebrate the almost miraculous accomplishments of American 
sprinter Jesse Owens, setting record after record in Nazi Germany while 
the crowds cheered him to victory. And the tenacity of the Philadelphia 
butcher's apprentice, Smokin' Joe Frazier, who struck heavyweight gold 
in Tokyo even though he had a broken right hand. How about American Bob 
Beamon's incredible 29-foot 2\1/2\-inch. performance in the long jump 
in Mexico City, the longest Olympic record to ever stand. Swimmer Mark 
Spitz, who owned the press of the first half of the Munich games by 
dominating seven events. A personal memory I will always have concerns 
the perfect gymnastic performances of Mary Lou Retton, a Fairmont, WV, 
native, who in Los Angeles won the women's all-around. I will also 
never forget one of the most touching images of will and determination 
ever to occur at the games. This was showcased in Barcelona when 
Derrick Readman of Great Britain fell in the 400 meter competition 
after severely pulling a hamstring and finished the race leaning on his 
father. These are all old, but cherished memories.

  The torch also symbolized a beginning, the beginning of the next 
centennial in Olympic history. The challenge is set in the new 
centennial to rekindle the two basic values that are at the core of the 
Olympic movement. One is the competitive fire that spurs individuals to 
pursue excellence in their sport and demand the best of themselves. The 
other is the cooperative spirit that tempers individual competition 
through teamwork, harmony, and understanding.
  I think the 1996 Atlanta games has led us into the next centennial 
quite well. As host, the city translated its confidence in itself into 
respected internationalism. It helped guide us all once again across 
every barrier of race, creed, language, and culture to seek a common 
ground of understanding sportsmanship. This was not without cost, but 
the city and Olympic officials responded to the needs of athletes, 
coaches, spectators, tourists, and residents with swift action. They 
also continued to profile veteran competitors and fresh faces who 
embody the Olympic motto of Citius, Altius, Fortius--swifter, higher, 
stronger--and the epitome of excellence. People such as Michael 
Johnson, Kerri Shrug, members of the dream team, Dan O'Brien, Janet 
Evans, Tom Dolan, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, West Virginian Randy Barnes, 
Carl Lewis, Mia Hamm, and Gwen Torrence immediately spring to mind. 
They proudly represented the strong heritage and the competitive nature 
encompassed in the Olympic spirit, and I commend them and every other 
Olympian who has ever dared to follow a dream to be the best.

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