The very first Olympic champion of whom we have a record was a cook - a Greek named Coroebus, who won the sprint race in 776 B.C. That was about a generation before Isaiah was to say that "they who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they should mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (Isaiah 40:21)

That sort of a linkage between secular games and faith has been drawn by writers through the ages. It is not strained at all. The apostle Paul himself drew an analogy possibly between the Olympics (then 700 years old!) and the gospel when he wrote: "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible." (1 Cor. 9:24, 25).All this comes to mind with the end of the 26th modern Olympic games, marking a century since the games were revived. Today's games have grown far beyond what anyone but a seer could envision from those early beginnings. Thanks to modern technology, an estimated 3.5 billion people around the world could see a broadcast, a potential audience so vast it represents most of mankind.

What they tuned in to see was a great demonstration of our common humanity - a competition that despite its occasional flaws was at its heart a celebration of brotherhood, camaraderie and goodwill.

It's important to put this into perspective. Some 10,700 athletes from 197 countries came to the Summer Games. Of those, about 95 percent could not win a medal. For them, the act of competing was honor enough. They got to Atlanta on the strength of individual commitments and dedication to their sport.

A s long ago as that first recorded ancient race was, it's still appropriate that Coroebus was a cook, the regular sort of job that almost anyone could hold. In this kind of competition, as in our pursuit of the gospel, status, money and past achievements mean little.

What are other spiritual lessons we can draw from each Olympiad?

First, that being in the competition is itself important. As Paul admonished, we must participate in order to win the crown. It's not enough to sit on the sidelines. Those who will achieve are "doers of the word, and not hearers only. . . ." (James 1:22)

Next, that dedication and continuous practice are required, no matter what our talents. Whatever our assignment, we should do the very best we can. King Benjamin told his followers that "it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize. . . . (Mosiah 4:27)

This diligence may be the single trait distinguishing those who win. Talent and physical gifts are important - sometimes essential - in individual competitions, but the vast majority of the athletes competing in the events won their spot through hard, unremitting and diligent work and practice. That may be why they fascinate us as we watch them spinning, racing and tumbling. We see something of our own potential. We believe that if we persist in our efforts, we will be rewarded. Who among us has not felt inadequate when given a new Church assignment? And who has not felt that diligent work, study and prayer could prepare us for success?

We also learn from the people who compete, from many nations and many circumstances. The world is indeed full of wonderous variety, but every competitor has much in common. As with the gospel, which spreads its umbrella over all men and women, we respect all others while yet honoring our own.

And we learn much about supporting others. Rare is the athlete who succeeds without the constant support of his family, friends and often his community. Others are willing to sacrifice their own comforts and time to help someone achieve a dream. For some that is a major commitment. No one does it alone. Rare, also, is the individual who succeeds in life and in the gospel without the loving, caring support of friends, family and community. We are a Church and a society that must help each other, or we ourselves will not succeed.

That's an important point. Behind the spectacle of the competition were thousands of people offering their services. Some 42,500 volunteers helped with the Games - that's four for every athlete. Great achievements require great cooperation.

Finally, all this takes time. Time to train, to learn, to study the nuances and to practice. That is true in life as well as in sport. Paul's admonition to the Hebrews is worth repeating: "Let us run with patience the race that is set before us." (Heb. 12:1).