It has been said that in times of crisis, people show their true colors.
Some rise to the occasion and respond to the call through duty or compassion, while others fail to meet the test and are exposed as lacking fortitude or sensitivity.
Didier Gailhaguet, president of the Federation Francaise des Sports de Glace (French Ice Sports Federation), met the supreme standard last week when he offered to let Japan hold the 2012 world championships after it was forced to withdraw as this year's host in the wake of the devastating Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, and the ensuing nuclear crisis.