Article April 26, 2004 Issue

SECURE in your home—and at the Olympics

By Beverly Goldsmith

It's official! The countdown to the summer Olympic Games in Athens has begun. The Olympic torch was lit on March 25 at an official ceremony in Greece by means of using the sun's rays. Now it will journey through 27 countries on six continents, before returning to Athens for the opening ceremony in August.

While excitement will continue to build over the next four months, a long shadow is being cast over the Games. Serious questions and criticisms are being raised about security arrangements and unfinished sporting venues.

When I first heard critical news reports on Australian television, I felt pessimistic. But, I wondered, was negative thinking helpful? Was I going along with the notion that the venues couldn't be completed in time? Or citizens might not be safe from terrorist acts? I'm a keen supporter of the Games, so why wasn't I doing something constructive—such as praying about all this.