Dave Pwarniyik, age 14, of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, for his question:

What do the rings on the Olympic Games Flag symbolize?

The Olympic Games are just about the most noble undertaking in all human history. The dramatic pageantry that goes with each meeting is equally noble. The official flag of the Olympic Games ignores human differences and symbolizes the bonds of friendship among all mankind.

The official flag of the Olympic Games is a snow white banner bearing a simple design of five interlocking circles. There is a top row of three separate rings, one blue and one black and one red. The row below has a yellow and a blue ring. These two circles are arranged to overlap and interlock with the three above. The five Olympic rings represent five major populations    Eurasia, which is combined Europe and Asia, Africa, North America, South America and Australia. The interlocking feature of the elegant design symbolizes links of friendship. That beautiful banner happens to be the one flag that represents the fair and equal bonds of friendship among all mankind.

Naturally, the whole world treats it with the respect it deserves. When the Games are in session it flies in the place of honor among the flags of the competing nations. Those who have seen it there never forget it. A person who has witnessed the dramatic pageantry with which it is raised and lowered treasures the memory for always. Here for ten to 16 days, the bitter woes of the world are displaced. The reigning factor is human athletic prowess. All differences of background are disavowed and athletes from even hostile nations compete with each other in the friendly contests.

The Games are governed by a strictly impartial international committee based in Switzerland. The flag and the official motto are its property. The motto is "Citius Altius Fortius," meaning "Swifter Higher Stronger." The torch that burns through the Games was lit at the site where the Greeks held the first Olympic Games, maybe almost 3,000 years ago. The flame is carried by relays of runners, by planes and ships to the stadium of the city selected to host the session. The opening ceremony begins with official greetings between the host and the Games committee.

Then the competing athletes parade into the stadium, wearing their national costumes and bearing their national flags. The Greek athletes head the parade and 1968 those of the host country come last. The other countries march in alphabetical order. Nothing could be fairer. Then comes a fanfare of trumpets as the flag of the Olympic Games is slowly hoisted while a flock of white doves is released to add their well¬known message to the proceedings. The flame arrives and the Olympic torch is lit. Someone gives a blessing and everybody joins to sing the Olympic hymn. One athlete is selected to speak for all, promising to compete fairly in the true spirit of sportsmanship. The Games are ready to begin.

There is a closing ceremony when the noble days of the session are over. The president of the Olympic Games Committee addresses the youth of the whole world. He asks them to display cheerfulness and concord so that the Olympic torch may be carried on with even greater eagerness, courage and honor. There is a final fanfare of trumpets while the flame is extinguished and the noble Olympic flag is slowly lowered from its lofty pole.