Scottish Catholic Observer

A Catholic bishop has said that he hopes the legacy of the London Olympics will go beyond the ‘bricks and mortar’ of East London’s re-development and permeate society at a deeper level.

Over the past fortnight, the UK has been largely gripped by Olympic fever and many people have been inspired by the outstanding success of Team GB’s athletes.

Asked about the legacy the 2012 Games will leave on the UK, Bishop Richard Moth (above), Bishop of the Armed Forces, expressed his hope that the great sense of community that the Games and the Queen’s recent diamond jubilee celebrations have had will permeate London society at a deeper level.

Bishop Moth also praised the athletes whose ‘dedication and sense of sacrifice’ have finally presented young people in the UK with healthier role models, an alternative to a dominant and sometimes degrading celebrity culture. The bishop said that the athletes have shown us there is always ‘something greater to aspire to.’

In a hugely poignant moment—seen by millions of people worldwide who tuned into the Olympics action last Friday night—Ethiopian long-distance runner Meseret Defar crossed the finish line to win gold in the women’s 5000 metre race. As she did so, Ms Defar, an Orthodox Christian, displayed to the cameras an image of the Virgin and Child, which she had carried with her throughout the race.

When Irish female boxer Katie Taylor won the first-ever Olympic gold medal in her category, her first words of thanks were for God and Jesus.

Bishop Moth said that these moments—as well as other public displays of faith from various athletes from different religious backgrounds during the Games—were an encouraging sign.

“It is a sign perhaps for many of us in society, that little public signs of faith are no harm,” he said. “It is a sign that faith is not just a personal thing, but in a very simple way they are opportunities for us to proclaim the Gospel, to proclaim faith and all those things can only be good.”

The 2012 London Olympics concluded on Sunday evening. The 2012 Paralympic Games will begin later this month.

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