Georgia is a sports-loving country. We live through sports, endure the challenges of sports, and find our joy in sports.

Understanding why this has become a fundamental part of our identity isn't too difficult if we explore our genetic memory. This memory isn't buried in the distant past but resides within us, constantly echoing through time, albeit adorned with different trappings.

I won't tell you anything groundbreaking; our genetics are steeped in a history of battles. Yet, as time has evolved, swinging swords is no longer our daily routine; instead, the spirit of competition thrives in sports.

Have you ever wondered, 'Where does so much talent in a single athlete come from? How can someone possess such phenomenal abilities? It seems almost inhuman!'

Yes, I'm quite certain you've pondered this.

Perhaps it's not just about hard work and discipline; maybe it's ingrained in their genetic memory. Perhaps Achilles now sprints across the field, or Perseus, or Odin, or Thor, or Gorgasal? Scientists confirmed the veracity of the Trojan War long ago, and such genes don't simply vanish without a trace.

 

Athletes differ from mythological heroes only in the existence of photo-video footage. Otherwise, no less heroic epics would be written about Meskhi's feints, Maradona's dribbles, Saneev's jumps, Jordan's shots, or Nona's matches. Furthermore, these legends are already inscribed in our collective memory and passed down orally from generation to generation.

Yes, they are the mythical heroes of today. Heroes are a necessity in every age.

It's often said, 'Every person must choose their god and follow in their footsteps to Olympus.'

For how many people has the recently emerged Khvicha become a symbol of the path to Olympus? Several sportsmen have already crossed the bridge he built.

It will become a legend that even an Italian newborn was named after him, and his frescoes adorn the walls of the “football cathedral” in Naples. For Orthodox fans, it's akin to a second coming—a god emerging from the East, aptly nicknamed Quaradona!

The history of Khvicha will likely be taught in schools just as we now learn about the visit of Farsman Qveli to the square of Mars!

If this trend continues, erecting a monument in his honor may not be too far off.

 

Heroes may change their faces, but they emerge with the attributes of their era!

In the world of sports, there are many modern-day Olympians. Among them, one of the most challenging to surpass is the one who ventured across the ocean, where our Goliath set foot, and great mountains began to rise. To claim two NBA rings from such a small country is a remarkable achievement.

He accomplished so much that he had all of America talking. They even altered the rules of the All-Star elections because of him; otherwise, this small nation of Georgia could have turned the entire National Basketball Association around simply by standing united. Some may call it a complex of a small nation, but it's history—alive, tangible, a history of unity and shared sporting joy.

In the genre of heroes, when the journey is complete, they return home to share their treasures with their family. So did Big Zaza, as he was called in America. New heroes emerge, carrying back the treasure of knowledge found across the ocean.

Added to this is the UFC, one of the most widely watched sports in the world. Merab Dvalishvili, bearing the map of Georgia on his heart, showcases the Georgian fighting spirit before millions. Ilya Topuria is here too, with his Southern temperament.

Judoists and wrestlers have been at the forefront of the path to Olympus from the beginning. We expect nothing less than gold from them.

Perhaps we once believed that our success was limited to strength sports, but recent unexpected results have marked Georgia on the map of fencing and rowing. Sandro Bazadze and Badri Kavelashvili will surely stand on the World Championship podium.

The "Golden Ice Axe" award for climbers in the Caucasus country didn't surprise us; we've long held a special place in this field. It's well-deserved.

And how can we not mention the central figure, Lasha Talakhadze—two-time Olympian, six-time World Champion, seven-time European Champion. He truly is a character from a Georgian folk tale, or perhaps he will become one in the future.

Even as this text is being written, Georgian women chess players are becoming world champions, a testament to their excellence.

The success of our small country brings immense happiness. We Georgians are bound to our homeland by invisible threads, sharing in its triumphs and tribulations as our own.

Sport has the unique ability to know pain and sorrow as intimately as it does joy. This is an unchangeable reality; sometimes we navigate emotional storms, sometimes tsunamis, sometimes torrents.

Indeed, Georgia is a country of fighting spirits, but spirit alone cannot suffice. We must provide the nurturing ground for those who come here. Otherwise, watching a faded fighter is a painful sight, something we've witnessed, especially in challenging times.

We, too, contribute to preparing the fertile soil.

Who knows, perhaps one of the primary missions of our healing waters on this Earth is to serve as a supporting element for our fighters. The abundance of healing waters may well be explained by this. This is what warriors require. However, as fighting methods evolve, so does treatment. But that doesn't mean we'll stray from our mission.

These juvenile waters can, in many ways, irrigate the meadow where fighting spirits rise with even greater boldness, carrying legends across the planet. Legends in a land brimming with life and living waters.