"The decision of the International Olympic Committee to have China host the forthcoming Olympic Games was far from easy; but it undoubtedly takes on a great historical value, as this great country thus becomes a full member of the international community": this was said to SIR by the director of the Pastoral Office for Tourism, Sports and Leisure of the Italian Bishops Conference, father Mario Lusek, who will leave for Peking in a few days along with the Italian athletes, in his capacity as the chaplain of the Italian team. As to his specific capacity as a chaplain, father Lusek states: "The athletes will certainly have different sensitivities and come from the most diverse experiences of life and faith. I will be called to be ‘close’, trying first and foremost not to feel them as ‘distant’. Sports and especially Olympics carry a lofty message of value and values that will speak volumes to everyone. The priest he concludes will also speak of Jesus who, when He made a proposal, began with ‘if you want to’".
