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Global Q&A: ‘What is the most inspiring moment for you in the Olympics?’

Epoch Times Staff Created: August 9, 2012 Last Updated: August 14, 2012
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People the world over have their eyes on the Olympic athletes—men and women who work hard and strive to excel. The athletes are a source of inspiration for many. The Epoch Times asked people outside Olympic Park in London what the most inspiring moment has been for them thus far. By far the most common answer was Usain Bolt’s world-record-breaking gold medal win for Jamaica in the 100-meter dash. But, it is not always the best athletes people find most inspiring, there are many aspects of the Olympics that hold meaning for spectators.

What is the most inspiring moment for you in the Olympics?

Ronald D’Souza, Bangalore, India (The Epoch Times)

Ronald D’Souza, Bangalore, India (The Epoch Times)

Bangalore, India

Ronald D’Souza, 40, IT Supervisor

The 100-meter dash, because a human being breaking [the] world record and being the fastest is amazing. Like I saw in the newspaper, he was called the “Rocket Man.”

Jesus Carmona, Mexico City, Mexico (The Epoch Times)

Jesus Carmona, Mexico City, Mexico (The Epoch Times)

Mexico City, Mexico

Jesus Carmona, 27, Student

When they started the fire of the Olympic torch. Many people did it together, there were a few of them at the same time lighting the fire. Teamwork—that’s the point.

Alex Pollo, Manilla, Philippines (The Epoch Times)

Alex Pollo, Manilla, Philippines (The Epoch Times)

Manilla, Philippines

Alex Pollo, 51, Catering Assistant

I like boxing and I found it interesting how the spectators preferred the underdogs in boxing. The crowd shouted and liked it when the underdog made a hit.

Henry Huynh, Sydney, Australia (The Epoch Times)

Henry Huynh, Sydney, Australia (The Epoch Times)

Sydney, Australia

Henry Huynh, 30, Finance

The crowd that has been here, the events, and the Olympic spirit, just being here in person.

Grant Allen, London, England (The Epoch Times)

Grant Allen, London, England (The Epoch Times)

London, England

Grant Allen, 32, Furniture Designer

Andy Murray winning tennis for Great Britain. An English player hasn’t won [Olympic] tennis since 1908 and we haven’t won a tennis medal since 1936.

Lileith Golding, Brampton, Canada (The Epoch Times)

Lileith Golding, Brampton, Canada (The Epoch Times)

Brampton, Canada

Lileith Golding, 46, Administrative Clerk

The 100-meter finals. The way [Bolt] got a blast from the starting line and accelerated to beat the other runners. 

Aydin Karakuzu, Istanbul, Turkey (The Epoch Times)

Aydin Karakuzu, Istanbul, Turkey (The Epoch Times)

Istanbul, Turkey

Aydin Karakuzu, 41, Surgeon

[When a] heavy weightlifter lady dropped the weight on her face, [it made me think] sometimes people try so hard, but there is fate, destiny, and you can’t do anything about it.

Brian Cattenach, Edinburgh, Scotland (The Epoch Times)

Brian Cattenach, Edinburgh, Scotland (The Epoch Times)

Edinburgh, Scotland (Living in London)

Brian Cattenach, 39, Repro Graphics

The 100-meter dash, and also just seeing everyone enjoy themselves.

Purwita Susanto, Milton Keynes, England (The Epoch Times)

Purwita Susanto, Milton Keynes, England (The Epoch Times)

Milton Keynes, England

Purwita Susanto, 39, Arts Administrator

I think just everybody getting together behind the teams. It’s just a nice atmosphere generally.

Carla Sariol, Barcelona, Spain (The Epoch Times)

Carla Sariol, Barcelona, Spain (The Epoch Times)

Barcelona, Spain

Carla Sariol, 26, Barcelona Olympic Museum Worker 

[I think] Meeting people around the world. This is my first Olympics. I was too young when it came to Barcelona.

Nayelli Vargas, Mexico (The Epoch Times)

Nayelli Vargas, Mexico (The Epoch Times)

Mexico

Nayelli Vargas, 30, Stay-at-home Mom

When Bolt won and he’s the fastest man on Earth. It’s incredible!

Anne Douque, Amsterdam, Holland (The Epoch Times)

Anne Douque, Amsterdam, Holland (The Epoch Times)

Amsterdam, Holland

Anne Douque, 30, Business Owner

Our Dutch swimmer won gold for both the 50-meter and the 100-meter freestyle wim. She knew she was going to win these two medals. She began the course to win them four years ago, and she did! It is so phenomenal.

Dominick Posillipo, Stony Point, New York, USA (The Epoch Times)

Dominick Posillipo, Stony Point, New York, USA (The Epoch Times)

Stony Point, New York, USA

Dominick Posillipo, 50, Retired Autoworker 

When [Gabrielle Douglas] won the gold in women’s gymnastics. She wouldn’t be there if the other gymnast [Russian gymnast Victoria Komova] didn’t get knocked out. The favorite didn’t make it. Also, when Michael Phelps broke the record for number of gold medals.

London, England

Neville Sequeira, 43, Finance

[I think] The cauldron going up at the opening ceremony, full of tears representing every team. No one knew whether it would fall.

 

Tibor Tillmann, Komlo, Hungary (The Epoch Times)

Tibor Tillmann, Komlo, Hungary (The Epoch Times)

Komlo, Hungary

Tibor Tillmann, 34, Driver

When my country is winning, that’s the best part of it. [On Sunday,] we got into the quarterfinal in handball and we won two gold medals and a bronze. I went to see running and athletics—no wins for our country, but at least I was there.

Look for the Global Q&A column every week. Epoch Times correspondents interview people around the world to learn about their lives and perspectives on local and global realities. Next week’s global question: “What kinds of judgments do you make about people based on their accent or dialect?”

The Epoch Times publishes in 35 countries and in 19 languages. Subscribe to our e-newsletter.




   

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Selected Topics from The Epoch Times

London 2012 Olympics