The Olympics have always offered a unique opportunity to see the nations of the world unite for one purpose, in friendly competitions that test athletes’ strength and talent.

But this year, as the Games come full circle and return to their birthplace in Greece, the world is a unique place.

Security concerns have been as much of a worry as construction delays. Three years after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and with growing concern of new al-Qaida plots, the world comes together under an Olympic flag and under tight security.

Still, the spirit of the Olympics burns as brightly as the flame overlooking the stadium in Athens &045;&045; completed despite those construction delays.

Teams from Iraq and Afghanistan are competing again this year &045;&045; one team free from a brutal dictator and another offering spots to women for the first time in years. Iraq’s team was once under the control of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein’s son Odai, who tortured them if they did not perform well. Afghanistan’s team was banned in 1999 because the Taliban refused to allow women to compete.

Such political statements &045;&045; intentional or not &045;&045; are not new to the Olympics. In 1936 in Berlin it was African-American Jesse Owens whose gold medal performances shattered Adolf Hitler’s rantings about a superior race. In 1972 in Munich it was the terrible tragedy of 11 Israeli athletes killed by terrorists.

And even this year, an Iranian athlete has dropped out because he refuses to compete against an Israeli.

Even so, we can always look to the Olympics &045;&045; and to Olympic athletes &045;&045; for pure athleticism, grace and strength, and for the hope that one day this will be the only competition between nations.