Oh, how I love the Olympics. They remind me of all that is good and pure and right… and so much of what is absent in every day life. Such a contrast…
… in the humility…
You rarely hear an Olympic athlete claim, “I am the best.” Most recognize they are part of a team and together represent a nation. It’s thus refreshing to see an athlete like the NBA’s LeBron James — whose nickname at home is “The King” — omit the regality and public promenades. He is no part of the host monarchy nor is he seemingly acting like it.
… in the individual effort…
So much of current culture has recently surrounded this concept of not only shared sacrifice, but also, shared success. What is the basis for such thinking? If someone else works hard and succeeds, do you and I deserve a part of that regardless of the lack of any contribution?
In the Olympics, 2 kinds of persons tend to earn the greatest gold: those who are inherently, naturally gifted — and those who work the hardest. Refreshingly, those who fail to medal recognize they’re not entitled to the reward of another.
… in the national pride…
National pride has seemed a negative concept in recent years. It’s almost as if there is no place for a pride absent of arrogance. But yet, the 2 terms are not synonymous. Hence, whether you are an athlete of Austrian descent, Iranian descent, or American descent, there is no need for any so-called ‘apology tour. ‘ It’s ok to be proud of your country — regardless of which nation it is.
… in commitment…
While so much about our younger generations is attractive and contagious, few seem to stay loyal for long… to a job, to a marriage, to a relationship. I relish the Olympic modeling of commitment. Authentic commitment. There is so much wisdom and growth reserved for steadfastness. And so we watch the Olympic athlete, who has trained for years for essentially one moment in time. The only way this moment exists is due to the individual’s commitment, a commitment to be maintained even on the days with no cameras, no glory, and no medallions strung around the neck.
… and lastly, in the good stories… this one from the “Sporting News”…
… Just when it seemed U.S. swimming had lost its marquee value, along came Missy Franklin. She won the 100-meter backstroke Monday, then reacted like you’d expect a 17-year-old to. “I couldn’t be happier,” she said. “It exceeded my expectations 100 billion times!”
…For all the nice stories about badminton whizzes, a truly grand Olympics must hitch itself to a star. We thought it might be [Michael] Phelps, getting a few more golds before swimming into the sunset. Then all eyes turned to [Ryan] Lochte after he swamped Phelps in their first race Saturday… Umm, not so fast. A French guy ran him, or swam him, down in the final leg of the 400-meter freestyle relay on Sunday…
Enter Missy the Missile. She’s the second-youngest swimmer on the U.S. team. She’s also the most versatile and probably the most embraceable. She’s down to swim seven events in London, one more than any female in Olympic history. Franklin got a bronze in the 400-meter freestyle relay Saturday. But Monday was the real coming out party for the girl who’s been called the female Phelps. She caught Australia’s Emily Seebohm in the final strokes to win in 58.33 seconds… “Incredible,” she said. “I still can’t believe that happened…”
She’s from Centennial, Col., outside Denver. She’s an honor student who will enter her senior year of high school in a few weeks. She really wants to swim in college, but London may be messing up those plans. The NCAA is built on the free labor of “amateur” athletes. If Franklin took endorsement money, she’d be ineligible to swim for good old State U. She’s already turned down nice endorsement offers. But if Monday night is any indication, she could make enough to buy a college and make her own darned rules. Not that such things were on her mind. Franklin was too busy crying as the national anthem was played. About the only disappointing thing was that there was no “Tebowing” on the medal stand.
Oh, how I love the Olympics… love that focus on what is good and pure and right.
Respectfully,
AR