Embodying the spirit that carried the Wright Brothers, Charles Lindbergh and Sir Edmund Hillary to new heights, British pilot Brian Jones and Swiss psychiatrist Bertrand Piccard created their own place in history Sunday. They became the first aviators to circle the world nonstop in a balloon.
When they touched down in the Egyptian desert, 300 miles southwest of Cairo, they conquered one of aviation's monumental challenges -- one that some are calling the last great challenge of the air. Their journey covered nearly 20 days and 29,000 miles. They actually crossed the "finish line" over Mauritania on Saturday after floating more than 26,000 miles around the earth. Strong winds over Libya then carried them to their touch down.As many of those who preceded them, their act represents much more than merely climbing into a craft and taking a trip around the world. Their dedication and determination became a triumph of the human spirit as well.
Their comments following their grand adventure illustrate that it had a profound impact on their inner selves as well as on their journey into the history books.
"Below us it wasn't paradise, below us there were wars, suffering of all sorts, and we had to ask why we had the right to be so happy," Piccard said, adding that he hoped the flight would be a symbol of peace for the future.
Jones and Piccard both believed that an "invisible hand" guided them during their times of greatest need.
Appropriately, the two will receive the Olympic Order for successfully circumnavigating the globe. The Olympic Order is the highest award a non-athlete can receive from the International Olympic Committee. The award is presented annually to individuals who illustrate the Olympic ideal through their actions.
As Jones and Piccard acknowledged, moments of glory are meaningless unless they translate into something that benefits others. We hope that message will resonate as loudly as their breakthrough accomplishment.