Passage 4 One of the great legacies will be the impact of the Games on the country’s young people. The Games inspire a new generation to believe in true values of fair play, the pursuit of excellence in what you do. to work as a team and above all in harmony—the Spirit of Friendship. // I have been fortunate to set records and win medals. But I realize when I stand on the blocks. the competition is really with me more than with others in the race. 1 cannot affect what my competitors will do, I can only commit myself that moment to do my best, to realize my own capabilities. In the end that is the key to having the best chance of winning. // But in the end that is the real human value for the sport for every athlete. The value lies in the effort and the striving even more than in the outcome. Every athlete who does that, and is true to themselves and their sport, deserves to be honored whether or not they come away from the race with a medal or a record. And so it is I think in everybody’s daily life. What more can we do in our work, our professions, our personal lives, than to just try to realize our own individual potential // Being a young person who has had the privilege and fortune to achieve success I feel a great sense of responsibility to help those less fortunate. In 2000 Ian Thorpe’s Foundation for youth was established with the aim of assisting charity organizations that support the needs of children who are faced with challenges and difficulties in their lives due to illness. I believe that all children should be given the opportunity in their own lives to reach full potential. // I am very pleased to be helping raise money tonight for the Beijing Zhiguang Special Education and Training School which I visited yesterday and saw for myself the wonderful work they are doing. I met with the children and it reminded me again about how much we take for granted in our lives. // I can only hope that through the Foundation for youth and your support, together we can make a difference in the lives of many children and give them the opportunity to look forward to a bright future. So if you have not yet made a bid on our auction items tonight, or a donation at the table—I urge you to do so. // (Excerpts from "The Australia-China Oration Series 2002"—Olympic Gold Medalist Ian Thorpe’s speech)
