>>>http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17884897
>>>
>>>Yeah, surface-to-air missile batteries on top of apartment buildings in London - that's truly the Olympic spirit.
>>
>>yes and no - I remember Munich games vividly...
>
>With respect, I'd argue you should not remember the Munich games so vividly.

I don't think I overemphasize Munich.
The ancient Olympic Games probably were started as armies fighting/competing
with less lives lost, even if later almost every free male could enter competition -
the disciplines are very close to military needs:
throwing javelin, throwing stone, running fast with and without obstacles
(runners were main military comm back then and AFAIK they even had runs with armour),
wrestling, boxing and pankration...

There probably is a lot of gloryfication of those traditons,
while they were a better way to meet the elite of other greek polis than on the battlefield.
Adding Marathon run for modern games keeps such tradition alive ;-)

To walk softly but carry a big stick is IMHO still a great motto for personal interaction,
but the ability of individuals/small groups to harnass lots of energy (not only kinetic)
and focus at such events needs to be thought of.

regards

thomas