The Swiss Rule

Spectacular. . . majestic. . . awe-inspiring. . . would describe this magnificant backdrop by which the world's sports capital is located here in Lausanne, Switzerland. The country is literally the world headquarters for sports with the IOC and 62 federated international sport agencies located here along Lake Geneva, coupled with FIFA headquarters in Zurich and FIBA located in Geneva.

Our time in the Swiss Alps has been a terrific blend of education, liesure and recreation. We spend nearly six hours at the IOC Museum, complete with a guided private tour. The students were able to use the research library to obtain information for their written projects, view archieval footage and learn about the vast history of the Olympic games from Ancient times to the present. I was amazed at the number of ancient artifacts that are part of this rich museum.

We spent the day with "Grace" (Stacie Gertsel) being transported in a wheelchair while recoving from an ankle sprain after stepping off a curb in Paris. Why "Grace?" Because she has none, thus the softball sized ankle. She's doing much better and has retuned to walking, so no worries.
Safe to say the Okypic motto, "Citius Altius Fortius" (Bigger Stronger Faster) did not apply to Grace on this particular day.

"Those who wish to surpass yourself, fashion your body and spirit to discover the best of yourself, strive always to go one step further than that you were aiming for." --Pierre de Coubertin, Father of the Modern Olympics, 1894

Hopefully, the students learned that Nike is not simply a sneaker, but the Greek Goddess of Victory. More on that from Athens next week.

Thursday was a national holiday in Switzerland and the area where our hotel is located (Ouchy) was alive with music, a festival and lots of entertainment along the lakeshore. The students have been mezmerized by the sheer beauty of this region of the world. (Along with Prof. Ryan and I).

Friday's highlight was taking a walking tour of Olympic Park, going to the IOC headquarters and having a seminar at the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA). Use of illicit drugs and performance-enhancing drugs is such a major issue in the U.S. and internationally that this was a fascinating topic for the students. We learned first-hand about new standards and policies that WADA is working with sport agencies across the globe to "purify" the competiton. Great dialog took place amongst the students and our instructor, a Swiss native, who did her graduate work at Georgetown. Needless to say, some Hoya discourse erupted when we found this out.

We surprised Prof. Ryan with a birthday party that evening and he was very surprised. Prof. Ryan "walks on water" with the students after putting together this amazing experience. We had a joyous time and have learned to exist without a daily\hourly fix of American sports, although I'm aware that the SURGING Yankees have won nine straight games.

Today, Saturday, Prof. Ryan and I took a train to Vevey, through the Swiss Alps to get a slice of life outside of a city. It was everything we could have anticipated and more. Even spent some time at a flea market. This European lifestyle is going on me. My motto when shopping is "get in, find it and get out" -- now I'm making a purchase at a Swiss flea market.

The unemployment rate is less than one-percent in the country and crime is nearly non-existent. Heck, they don't even check to see if you actually purchased a ticket when riding the Metro or train system.

Can't get my daily exercise regime in, so I've resorted to finding Swiss chocolate and croussaints and then going for a "power walk" along the lake shore. I plan to do a study to see if rich Swiss chocolate can act as an exercise stimulate among middle-aged males. I learned at WADA that an alcoholic beverage made from grape skins was used by Zulu warriors in order to enhance their physical prowess in battle, so what to heck. . . stayed tuned.

Off for another "power walk" Departing bright and early tomorrow for Geneva and a flight to Athens, arriving about 8:00 p.m Until next blog. . .All the best to everyone. -- Prof. VEE-lay