We live in difficult times. We are seeing our species at its absolute worst. Humans are capable of acts of breathtaking violence; of allowing the flames of intolerance and mistrusts to catch and spread; of enabling inequality and persecution to deepen and bring suffering.
When we are at our best is when we co-operate and share, when we innovate and create, when we show compassion and when we demonstrate respect for each other.
Nowhere is this shown better than during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Yes, these are only Games. But they hold valuable truths for us all and teach important lessons about treating rivals with respect.
I have been overjoyed by the Rio Olympics. I know Brazil well and don't need any tips on the country's faults and failings (or its prodigies either). I know something about the IOC too, and don't need any pointers on the way it operates - perhaps best described as murky.
But I am shocked and devastated by the fact that the Paralympics are going to be curtailed by the human weakness and meanness, rather than a further celebration of generosity and kindness.
There is, apparently, not enough money to go round. Over-spending on the Olympics, poor ticket sales for the Paralympic events (where with only 12% of the tickets have been bought) and financial incompetence - including heavy bribery - mean some countries will not be able to send teams to compete, while many events are being scaled down, depriving athletes who have spent four years training, from competing.
Many have turned their fire on the IOC, on the authorities in Rio and Brazil, not without good reason. It is important in due course that corrupt officials are identified and punished; that the games are properly audited; that the money trails are looked into.
But something needs to be done quicker than that to keep the show on the road.
That's why I've started an online petition asking companies that are innovative, creative and pioneering to step up now. It would be a wonderful thing for companies that have shaped the early 21st century, like Facebook, Apple, Google and Uber and others besides to take the lead and dip into their treasure chests and save the games.
As a good friend in Rio tells me, the organisers of the Paralympics do not even know how big a gap needs to be filled. But we need to start somewhere. Knowing that a solution is possible can make change happen in the next few days and keep the show on the road.
If you have 30 seconds spare, please sign, tweet and share my petition.
Modern politics is all about online activism. Let's see if we can get enough people to sign a petition to get those who might be able and willing to help to do so.
You can do so by clicking here: it's free. Just like a vote.
When we are at our best is when we co-operate and share, when we innovate and create, when we show compassion and when we demonstrate respect for each other.
Nowhere is this shown better than during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Yes, these are only Games. But they hold valuable truths for us all and teach important lessons about treating rivals with respect.
I have been overjoyed by the Rio Olympics. I know Brazil well and don't need any tips on the country's faults and failings (or its prodigies either). I know something about the IOC too, and don't need any pointers on the way it operates - perhaps best described as murky.
But I am shocked and devastated by the fact that the Paralympics are going to be curtailed by the human weakness and meanness, rather than a further celebration of generosity and kindness.
There is, apparently, not enough money to go round. Over-spending on the Olympics, poor ticket sales for the Paralympic events (where with only 12% of the tickets have been bought) and financial incompetence - including heavy bribery - mean some countries will not be able to send teams to compete, while many events are being scaled down, depriving athletes who have spent four years training, from competing.
Many have turned their fire on the IOC, on the authorities in Rio and Brazil, not without good reason. It is important in due course that corrupt officials are identified and punished; that the games are properly audited; that the money trails are looked into.
But something needs to be done quicker than that to keep the show on the road.
That's why I've started an online petition asking companies that are innovative, creative and pioneering to step up now. It would be a wonderful thing for companies that have shaped the early 21st century, like Facebook, Apple, Google and Uber and others besides to take the lead and dip into their treasure chests and save the games.
As a good friend in Rio tells me, the organisers of the Paralympics do not even know how big a gap needs to be filled. But we need to start somewhere. Knowing that a solution is possible can make change happen in the next few days and keep the show on the road.
If you have 30 seconds spare, please sign, tweet and share my petition.
Modern politics is all about online activism. Let's see if we can get enough people to sign a petition to get those who might be able and willing to help to do so.
You can do so by clicking here: it's free. Just like a vote.
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