Watching the Olympics I asked myself over and over again why an individual chose his or her particular sport, and what passion and drive moved them from a simple love of a sport to become an Olympic athlete? It's a question perhaps without one absolute answer. I've also been curious if innate talent is at the root of the decision as to which sport an individual chooses to pursue. Are great athletes born or are they nurtured and made? I've read repeatedly that it isn't necessarily that certain people are gifted and just naturally excel in a particular area.

The Olympics should feature unsuspecting citizens plucked from their normal jobs and forced to compete against similarly amateur athletes from around the world. It's simple to implement, and the benefits are practical for countries and entertaining for viewers.

In two days, three Jamaicans won medals in sprinting. These victories mean a lot more to the country than deciding who can run fastest while stripped down to underwear. There's a marvelous symbolism involved. Even, perhaps, revenge. For almost three hundred years Jamaica was more or less owned by the British and ruled from London.

Earlier this week three Sudanese athletes who had been part of their country's Olympic training squad also disappeared from the Olympic village and are expected to seek political asylum in Britain. There are certain to be empty seats on planes returning to a number of countries in the Middle East and Africa after the closing ceremonies.The Olympics are a tribute to human athleticism and dedication but they are also an anachronism in which some are competing for glory and pride whereas, others, like gladiators, are competing for the lives of their families or in fear for their personal security.