We owls enjoy flying over the Olympics. Did you see me in the rain over the Seine in Paris? Celine Dion won my heart with her magnificent rendition of Edith Piaf’s ‘Hymn to Love’ to open the Games. What a fitting way to welcome the world to one of humanity’s finest gestures of sporting completions. The whole of Paris showed its best for guests from the whole world. What an ingenious idea to float the talented athletes in boats past the Parisians and visitors gathered along the storied river. Then, the Olympic teams would deploy to various competition venues at famous landmarks around the city. My favorite so far is where you can see the Eiffel Tower down one of the proud, broad boulevards. I can imagine myself drinking café and having a croissant at one of the many outdoor tables, if I had opposable thumbs.

America showed its best with our competitive spirit. Who could not help feeling a twinge of camaraderie as our national anthem was played for people like gymnast Simone Biles, who seems to have mastered flight. The competition was fierce. For example, the Frenchman Leon Marchand seems to be destined for glory in the pool. We marvel at the ingenious mixed sexes relay race, where Americans blazed off in a speed that seemed to issue from space. Their men and women flashed forward to finish almost 90 feet ahead of the nearest contender.

Our own Alabama Jesse Owens did such wonders in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin when he literally appeared to be running alone, he was so fast. When Hitler refused to congratulate him on winning the Gold Medal for the long jump, Lutz Long, his German fellow athlete, walked arm in arm with Jesse around the stadium, a sign of equality few could ever match, right in front of Hitler’s “super race,” who cheered them both.

We watch Americans in action. No one thinks race, or how they became Americans. They are for us and of us. E Pluribus Unum. Our men’s gymnastics team is comprised of Asher Hong of Tombull, Texas; Paul Juda of Deerfield, Illinois; Brody Malone of Aragon, Georgia; Stephen Nodoroscik, of Worchester, Mass.; Frederick Richard of Stoughton, Mass; Sane Wiskus of Spring Park, Minnesota; and Khoi Young of Bowie, Maryland. Their names and hometowns say it all. We are a great and diverse country. When we are together, we make wonders happen.

I’ve often wondered at those who cannot appreciate dedication, determination and skill. I’ve been a longtime supporter of those who try their best and hope to live to see final success. Moreover, I’m a giant fan of those who train, guide, and encourage them. What this usually requires of the future skilled professional is long hours working alone, implementing the guidance of these older, experienced, and wise coaches, teachers, professors and others skilled in the art, sport or science being pursued. I completely enjoy reading of those born naturally with such gifts. Jim Thorpe was passing a field where he saw others racing. He spontaneously joined in the race, wearing business shoes and a suit. And won. In these Paris Olympics, a 51-year-old Turkish gentleman showed up at the pistol shooting competition in t-shirt and street clothes. He won the silver medal against technically outfitted, balanced-weapon, range-sighted-glasses wearing competitors. These appearances are deceptive however. Some coach saw the possibilities of the future, unformed professional, and helped develop his or her potentialities into peak reality. Targeted, intense training is what we all know stands behind a finely skilled expert. Like the old joke says, a guy pulls up to a policeman in New York City and asks, “Hey officer, how do I get to Carnegie Hall?” The cop answers, “Practice, buddy. Lots of practice.”

We see how a city can be proud of itself and come together to offer tremendous cultural and physical wonders for all the world to see and enjoy. Maybe they learn things to bring back to their home countries. Your Owl correspondent attended Atlanta’s Olympics. What fun to fly through the closed off streets outside the stadiums and meet the world walking, talking and looking. We spoke for some time with the Danish women’s rowing team. A kindly Tunisian coach gave us a flower holder made in his country. I was particularly happy to meet and just talk on the sidewalk with Kip Keno, now coach of Kenya’s racing squad. He stunned the world with his racing decades earlier.

Here in Limestone County we could do this. We could invite teams from around the country, around the Caribbean, and Central and South America to come here for games. We’d need to think this through and prepare. Others have done so, to great effect on their economy. To be honest, the greatest effect of such efforts is on the mental and cultural well-being of the people who come and those of us who welcome them. Madison built Orion amphitheater, an idea we could have done first at the never-built-but- always-promised Pilgrim Park. Now Orion is a major economic boon for Madison. Recently our state capital came up with Montgomery Whitewater Park. This is a water park which brings families and athletes to simulated kayaking and water sports events. Invented by two former kayaking Olympians, it is another place where real competitions can now be held, and a super beat the heat venue is there for all.

First, we need not be afraid. Those who have met others from abroad find they are welcoming, but often see the world differently than we do. What a joy to learn something from them, and perhaps include in our lives and communities what they offer. We shall give them, like our Olympians, our best. We’ll make new but true friends, as we learn, and they learn from us as well. The people of the world are wonderful. Louis Armstrong wasn’t wrong when he sang, “What a Wonderful World.”