French educator Baron Pierre du Coubertin came up with idea of the modern Olympics in 1894 with the aim of creating a peaceful, better world by educating young people through sport. After their 1896 beginning, they have become a celebration of sport, persistence, goodwill and national fervour.

The games provide athletes with their biggest stage. The south-west has a record number of competitors in Australia's team. Table tennis exponent Melissa Tapper, basketballer Nathan Sobey, golfer Marc Leishman, trap shooter Penny Smith, cyclist Grace Brown, javelin thrower Kathryn Mitchell and until earlier this week showjumper Jamie Kermond. Then at the paralympics, we also have rower Kathryn Ross.

They embody the games' spirit. They have all worked hard, persisted, overcome hurdles both mental and physical. They have all been great ambassadors for their sports, their families and the region. We will be glued to TV screens like never before watching an eclectic mix of sports, united first by region, then country.

Only a select few get to wear the green and gold. Showjumper Kermond had spent most of his life pursuing a start at the Olympics. Sadly he is not in Tokyo after it was announced earlier this week he had tested positive to cocaine.

His Woolsthorpe family sacrificed so much for him and in the words of step-dad Shayne Fisher, the test was shocking and disappointing. Kermond is in a "bad way", Fisher said, as the enormity of his mistake set in. Kermond apologised for his actions and letting down so many.

But resilience, persistence are hallmarks of not only the Olympics but life too. What matters now for Kermond, is how he deals with the disappointment. Like so many at the Olympics in the past, he needs to pick himself up, with the support of his loving family, dust himself off and strive to be better. Life is not always about winning, it's about improving, bettering the world we live in like du Coubertin wanted.