TEACHING VALUES AN OLYMPIC EDUCATION TOOLKIT BEFORE YOU READ Think about a time when someone did something for you that they did not have to do – when they went out of their way to help you. How did you feel? Why is an action like this called " fair play?" READING Fair Play on the Bobsled Run6 Eugenio Monti made Olympic fair play history in the town of Innsbruck, Austria, during the Winter Games of 1964. Monti of Italy was one of the world's best bobsledders. A bobsled is a fibreglass cocoon on runners that slides at 150km per hour down an icy track on a mountainside. It is built for either two or four riders. The job of the driver and the other riders is to try to keep the sled balanced and stable during their wild ride around the twisting corners of the track, and to cross the finish line in the fastest time. Monti had already won a bronze medal in the four- man bobsled. He really wanted to win an Olympic gold medal in the two-man bobsled. As he waited with his partner at the top of the bobsled run for his turn, he realised there was great confusion near the bobsled of his main rivals, Robin Dixon and Tony Nash of Great Britain. They had lost a bolt that held the runner to their sled. Without that bolt, they could not participate in the race. What was to be done? Without giving it any second thought, Monti lent the pair the bolt from his own sled. Nash and Dixon raced down the track to capture the gold medal. Monti had to settle for third place. For his act of generosity he was awarded a special fair play medal by UNESCO. Monti was determined to carry on with his dream of winning an Olympic gold medal. So, although he was 40 years of age, he trained again for the Winter Games of 1968. His skills and years of experience were finally rewarded. He won gold medals in both the two- man and the four- man bobsled races. FOR DISCUSSION Why do you think Monti lent the other team his bolt, when it could mean that he might lose the gold medal – his dream for years? Would everybody act this way? Why or why not? What seemed to be more important to Monti than winning? Bobsledding is one of those sports in which the quality of your equipment is very important to your chances of winning a medal. Is this fair? Why or why not? What other sports require expensive and up- to- date equipment? READING Thanks for the Ski Pole! 7 CANADIANS THANK NORWEGIAN COACH FOR SARA RENNER SKI POLE DURING RACE ( Canadian Press, February 16, 2006: 06 AM) The kudos keeps coming for the Norwegian ski coach who lent Canadian cross- country skier Sara Renner a pole when hers snapped during [ a cross-country ski race at the Turin Olympic Games]. Renner sent Bjørnar Håkensmoen a bottle of wine. Cross Country Canada has passed on its appreciation. And Norway's Chef de Mission can also expect a letter of thanks from the Canadian Olympic Committee. Thanks to the borrowed pole, Renner and team- mate Beckie Scott went on to win the silver medal. " It was reflex," Håkensmoen said… AboveInnsbruck 1964: Bobsleigh Italia I with Eugenio Monti ( ITA) and Sergio Siorpaes ( ITA) on board. LIVINGFAIRPLAY SECTION 4 THE FIVE EDUCATIONAL VALUES OF OLYMPISM TEACHING VALUES83 STORIES ABOUT FAIR PLAY ACTIONS OF OTHER PEOPLE INSPIRE US ALL. LEARNERS CAN TELL OR WRITE THEIR OWN FAIR PLAY STORIES AFTER READING OR HEARING THE STORIES BELOW. 6 Bobsled is a winter sport that is enjoyed in countries that have cold winters. Children in these countries slide down slippery, snow- covered hillsides on sleds. In the Olympic bobsled competitions, these sleds look like cocoons on runners. The bobsled course is a curving track of pure ice. 7 Canadian Press, 16 February, 2006: 06 AM.

84TEACHING VALUES SECTION 4 THE FIVE EDUCATIONAL VALUES OF OLYMPISM " I didn't have to think. Our policy of the Norwegian team, and my policy, is that we should help each other. We should compete on the same ground. Everybody should have two skis and two poles." For Håkensmoen, lending Renner a spare pole was a simple act. To others, it's an example of the Olympic spirit that sometimes gets lost in the quest for medals. FOR DISCUSSION What seemed to be more important to the Norwegian coach than winning an Olympic medal? The Norwegian team finished fourth in the race – with no medal. Is it fair to help another team if they will beat you out of a medal? READING Fair Play on the High Seas It was Saturday, 24 September, 1988. Lawrence Lemieux, a Canadian, was in second place in his small yacht during the Olympic competitions of the Seoul Olympic Games. The race was taking place in confusing high winds and rough waves off the coast of Korea. These were conditions that Larry knew well. He was an experienced rough water sailor. He was almost in a position to challenge the leader for the gold medal. Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye he saw an empty boat in the waves. A man was in the cold waters near the empty boat and waving his arms. An unexpected wave had flipped him out of his boat. Without hesitation, Lemieux veered from the course to come up beside the drowning sailor. He pulled the man from the water. Then he headed his yacht toward shore to get help. After the rescue, Lawrence re- entered the race, but he finished well behind the leaders. In the true spirit of Olympic competition, Lawrence gave up his chance to win the race in order to assist a fellow competitor. In recognition of his action, the International Olympic Committee presented Lawrence with a special Olympic award. Lemieux was both happy and surprised when the media fussed over what he says any sailor would have done. Said Lemieux," The first rule of sailing is, if you see somebody in trouble, you help him." FOR DISCUSSION What is the similarity between the Norwegian coach's ideas and Lemieux's ideas about winning. Do you agree with them? Why or why not? Left Turin 2006: Sarah Renner ( CAN) competes during the Women's Cross Country 10km. Below Left Norwegian ski coach Bjørnar Håkensmoen.