For a short while the Oylmpics brings people of different nationalities together, in the Olympic village people who normally would never speak to each other get on, you have the Arab nations talking to Israelis and vice versa because there's no pressure not to. People who are normally only fed information by their governments get a small slice of life outside their countries and those of us watching on our televisions can see that we all share the same emotions when winning, losing being injured etc. for the first time women from Saudi are being allowed to compete though sadly they won't be televised in their own country, the Olympic committee has said the team can't compete without women, it's a small start but it is a start. Already we have some very good Morrocan women competing. Countries like Ethiopia have outstanding athletes who bring pride to their country and speak for their people when among us, the richer nations. Sport however 'silly' does bring us together in a way that no other activity does, you could look upon it as a replacement for war but I think it is more than than, it gives people pride and empathy. How many times have the spectators applauded more loudly and cheered for the last runner than the first past the post? We do that because we appreciate the endeavour, the spirit and the sheer gutsiness of these athletes regardless of what country they come from, we will them on to finish. Would we do that for anyone of another nationality in any other activity? No, the Olympics does us all good in small ways.