Yesterday I mentioned how thrilled I am to be given the opportunity to work with the athletes who will represent our country in the 2008 Olympic Games.

My role is to provide Olympic hopefuls with information and inspiration about the ideals and values embodied in the concept of Olympism.

The U.S. Olympic Committee’s commitment to this educational program is based in part on a survey of leaders of the American Olympic movement that revealed near unanimity that these ideals and values are an intrinsic part of the Olympic Games and should be more consistently and effectively taught and promoted.

Pierre de Coubertin , the founder of the modern Olympic movement, believed that the significance of the Olympic Games would go beyond sports. He felt that international athletic competition could build a better society by providing examples of excellence in a manner that could unite the communities of the world in friendship, understanding, and peace.

The Olympic Charter says, "Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will, and mind. Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example, and the respect for universal fundamental ethical principles."

A core part of Olympism is also embodied in the Olympic Creed, which elevates effort and striving in the pursuit of victory above even victory itself.

Although sports is sometimes called the toy department of life, the social and cultural impact of sports demands that we take them much more seriously. Hopefully, the newest edition of American Olympians will not only excite and entertain us, but enlighten and uplift us.

This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.