MESSAGE OF POPE JOHN PAUL II
FOR THE OPENING  OF THE TWENTY-THIRD
INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC GAMES

Saturday, 28 July 1984

On the occasion of the solemn opening of the Twenty-third International Olympic Games taking place in Los Angeles I ask you to convey my cordial greetings and good wishes to all the organizers, participants and spectators. This great event has significance not only for the world of sport as the expression of friendly athletic competition and the striving for human excellence but also for the future of the human community, which through sport gives external expression to the desire of all for universal cooperation and understanding. I offer my heartiest congratulations to the men and women who are representing their countries and I hope that at this world-wide encounter they will be worthy models of peaceful harmony and human fellowship. Upon them and upon all connected with the Games I invoke abundant divine blessings.

IOANNES PAULUS PP. II