The Olympic Games is a time when for a few weeks the world leaves its troubles behind and marvels at the exploits of the elite athletes who gather in friendship, peace and harmony to test their skills in dozens of sporting pursuits.

But every now and again the Games are stained by atrocities such as the 1972 Munich massacre when 11 Israelis and a police officer were murdered by terrorists.

Unfortunately the 2008 Olympics will be tainted by a new atrocity, not in the Olympic city of Beijing but in the Caucasus.

Troops controlled by President Dmitry Medvedev are bombarding the republic of Georgia with frightful force, inflicting dreadful loss of life and limb in retaliation for last week's bid by Georgian troops to crush a Russian-backed rebellion in Georgia's breakaway province of South Ossetia.

World leaders have recoiled in shock at the ferocity of the continued attack days after the Georgians withdrew troops, calling for a ceasefire.

But it seems Moscow is hell-bent on wiping out the state of Georgia in what many have interpreted as an attempt by Russia to reassert its long lost mantle as a world military power.

Shocked world leaders have rushed to the region, urging Russia to end the hostilities and enter peace talks.

Unfortunately it may be all too late for the people of Georgia.