Almost four years ago the (at first, much maligned) Sydney Olympics had just opened. Spring arrived on cue, and daylight saving was brought forward, specifically to coincide with the games.

A carnival atmosphere prevailed in Sydney as the sun shone, and in a fluke not seen before or since, Sydney’s public transport system ran glitch free, like clockwork. Under the almost perpetual blue skies, Sydney was the place to be.

Four years ago I walked onto the floor like I was walking into a party. I saw new faces and new possibilities that were somehow right in front of me, yet completely out of reach. It wasn’t the first time I’d been in that situation and it wasn’t the last either.

Today the (at first, much maligned) Athens Olympics opened. Late summer Athens has no shortage of sunshine or blue sky, and I’m sure the public transport system will run glitch free for the duration. But still people find something to complain about.

Last night I walked onto the floor, as I have so many times in the last four years. New faces and new possibilities swirled in front of me. And as ever, they continue to elude me. But is that not part of the game, I wonder?

Still it is possible to look passed all of this, all too easily in fact, and look into the same eyes from four years ago. And every time I see something different. Hope, happiness, despair, and sometimes, even anger.

All too often though the doubt and confusion in my eyes is the reflection of yours.