To support this, Greek Gymnastic Exercises were pursued and great buildings created to enable them to be carried out.
Dr Rudolf Steiner, an Austrian philosopher, built upon the "gestures" the first Olympians were encouraged to aspire to and display. He categorised six. Here are three.
One is where an individual consciously "Feels Forward" towards another individual or situation. This is where 'I seek a relationship with obstacles in the World'. This reflects the value of 'Friendship' that underpin both Games today.
Another is "Sympathy" towards another or a situation where 'I unite with the World'. This reflects the value that underpins the modern Games of 'Respect" and 'Equality'.
A third is where an individual is very "Effective" - "Directive", impressing themselves upon others, situations, the World. In terms of the values and principles underpinning the modern Games this third gesture encompasses -'Courage', 'Determination', 'Inspiration' and 'Excellence'.
Beautifully these original gestures and modern values were presented time and time again during the London 2012 Olympic Games not only by the athletes but also by all spectators, often to the astonishment and comment by many around the World.
The true legacy of the Olympic and Paralympic Games can be re-igniting through experiencing and appreciating the original gestures underpinning the modern values.
I am trusting this will be the case. I was a volunteer Games Maker to the Olympic Games and am to be again, for the Paralympic Games. I believe the above three gestures will be especially present in the Paralympic Games.
The importance for me of gestures and values for the way we speak is because of the roots and links between them and our speech. The original Olympic Games included spear-throwing - now throwing the javelin. This is an exercise used for projecting speech. Running and jumping brings rhythm and modulation to our speech.
Speech becomes real through factual gesture. There is no real gesture that is not derived from the Greek Gymnastic exercises. Gesture can be felt in the voice and if 'exercised well' disappears into and transforms our speech enabling it to be authentic and truly inspirational.
Please let me and each other know what you see, hear and feel during the Paralympic Games in the speech of athletes, commentators, spectators and ourselves.
