China has one of the world's oldest peoples and continuous civilizations consisting of states and cultures dating back more than six millennia.

It's a land that has given the world such inventions as paper, the compass, gunpowder, and printing. The fourth largest country in the world, it has a population, give or take, of 1,330,044,606 people, spread over 9,596,960 kilometers divided into 23 provinces.



And now it has given the world these Olympics. I began my Olympic pilgrimage back in April when I traveled to Greece as a guest of the Olympic Organizing Committee; my purpose: to help begin the Olympic Torch Relay. Now, after running in May with the Olympic Torch in London, England, then bringing it on my expedition to the geographic North Pole, I feel as if I reached the end of a special journey. It's a wonderful and rewarding feeling.

As a guest of both the Olympic Organizing Committee and Coca Cola, a principal sponsor of these Olympics, I've been given both a backstage pass and a front row seat to this planetary event.

So far, I've been able to fit into several events. On Tuesday I visited the "Water Cube," the incredible structure built to host all the swimming events. I watched both Michael Phelps and Natalie Coughlin earn swimming medals. Phelps has five Olympic gold medals and five world record times in these Olympics. Coughlin won her third medal in these Olympics when she swam to the bronze in the 200 individual medley.

However, I'll let the national news take care of Olympic results. What's impressed me most about my time at the Olympics has been the Chinese people. It's impressive what they have done. The athletic venues are amazing. Yes, there is pollution typically, you can't see over 200 meters from wherever you are, but everywhere you go the natives, even if they can't speak English, are trying really hard to be helpful. The factories, as well as many other industrial businesses, have shut down in Beijing during the games to cut down on pollution.

There is citywide car rationing. Odd and even auto car license plates operate respectfully every other day. Although mass transit is in abundance, I've been taking mostly cabs. They are very inexpensive and a cultural trip in themselves. The cabbies don't speak English, but smile and seem excited to help you. All you do is show them a place on the map, and they get you there.

These Games have been declared the "Green Olympics." Coca-Cola's vision is to support the Olympic Movement's commitment to sustainability in China and globally by engaging athletes about protecting the environment and inspiring them. Tuesday night, Coca Cola premiered the "Environmental Champions" documentary about my expedition to the North Pole. Over 700 people attended. There was a buzz in the air, much like the one I feel attending the events.

Forget for a moment and put aside the world records, the gold medals, the statements of modern architecture, and our politics as well as the politics of this primate country. Think globally. Revel in all these superb athletes effort, sacrifice, and challenge. Think about how each of us has the capacity to make personal efforts for a better planet. After all, we're all in this joyride of life together.

Wednesday I hope to watch beach volleyball and basketball. Go USA.     --Story via Robert Frohlich.