Certain images come to mind in connection with the word champion. In the context of sports events, the word connotes a winner or one who places first or high in competition. We've come to associate champion with one who turns in a superior performance.

During the XIX Winter Olympiad now underway in Salt Lake City, the word champion will be used many times. In fact, every athlete participating in the Games has already earned the right to be called a champion.

Few, if any, become champions on the basis of talent or natural ability alone. No athlete started out at the top of his or her sport. Every step to the winner's platform is paved with countless hours of practice and training, self-discipline and perseverance.

For most athletes the pursuit of perfection doesn't lead to or end on the winner's platform. While readings of timers or points issued by judges determine which athletes receive medals, the reward for many athletes takes place in a more personal and private arena. Some enter for the thrill of competition. That competition isn't always about beating another contestant's time or winning more points; sometimes it is about improving their own performances. When we improve and do our best, we become champions.

Years ago, a television program featured a 14-year-old figure skating champion of Canada. The interviewer asked how she felt when she performed to her very best and won. She responded, "Wonderful."

"How do you feel when you perform your very best — and lose?" the interviewer asked. The young skater again replied, "Wonderful."

Then the interviewer asked, "How do you feel when you don't perform your very best and win?" She answered, "Terrible." (See Presiding Bishop Victor L. Brown, Conference Report, October 1984, p. 51, or Ensign November 1984, p. 39.)

American composer John Williams wrote the official theme song for the 2002 Winter Games. The Tabernacle Choir and the Utah Symphony collaborated to perform that work, "Call of the Champions," for the opening ceremonies Feb. 8. Mr. Williams borrowed from a motto of Baron de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games in the 1890s: Citius, Altius, Fortius, which, translated from Latin, means "swifter, higher, stronger." Then Mr. Williams added another word, Clairus, which, he said, is a word a Roman might have used to speak of intelligence and clarity of mind. (CD production notes to "John Williams — American Journey," 2002 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.)

The musical work could be considered a call to all of us, for champions we all can be. In speaking of the 2002 Winter Games (see report on page 3 of this issue), President Gordon B. Hinckley said that we can learn from the event, namely: "If we discipline ourselves enough we can improve ourselves, but we must make the effort. We must go through the process of training and strengthening ourselves and improving our skills. To me it seems to be a lesson for all — that we all can do a little better than we're doing. We can all reach for that great top post out there, that gold medal that lies at the end of the process of effort, and make something of ourselves. This ought to be an inspiration to all of us. I think it will be. . . . It applies to everything and anything. Whatever you do, do well. Be good at it. Stand a little taller. Be a little stronger. Be a little smarter. Be a little wiser. Be a little better."