Olympic Lessons to Live By
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Like so many of you, I was glued to the TV during the past few weeks watching the Tokyo Olympics. Without fail, I become enthralled with every sport, from the headliners, like swimming or gymnastics, to the ones with lesser coverage, like weightlifting. Maybe it’s because I had my own Olympic dreams when I was a competitive swimmer, but I applaud each athlete for their hard work and dedication to the sport. While every Olympiad is filled with heartwarming stories, I was really struck by some of the morals that seemed to be a theme throughout this year’s games. Here are my favorite Olympic lessons that we could all live by.
Always Prioritize Your Mental Health
The biggest story to come from Tokyo probably surrounds Simone Biles’ decision to withdraw from the individual all-around competition, citing her mental health as a reason. While many people were quick to judge, I and countless others believe that what she did was so incredibly brave. This is a reminder that it is always time to prioritize your mental health, no matter the circumstances. Luckily, this has become a more accepted mindset, but if it’s not with your work or loved ones, you don’t need their permission. Even scheduling in the occasional ‘mental health day’ can do wonders for your well-being.
You Don’t Need an Audience to do Great Things
This Olympics was highly different from years previous in that there were no audiences to watch the athletes compete. My heart goes to the families who couldn’t see their loved ones excel in person, particularly the Finke family, whom I’ve known since I was a kid. Their son and my former teammate, Bobby, won two golds in Tokyo, and I couldn’t be happier for him. Still, even without the spectators, these athletes did incredible things. World records were rewritten, and personal bests were shattered. The next time you want to reach a goal, remember that you don’t always need an audience to see you succeed. Sometimes your own motivation is all you need.
There’s a First Time for Everything
Something that makes first-place victories even sweeter is when they are the first to accomplish their goal. Maybe they’re the first American to win in foil fencing, the first to win a gold for Bermuda, or the first to win in the new Olympic surfing events. Perhaps you have your own goal, large or small, but you would be the first to accomplish it. Keep going! Even when you have moments of doubt like “no one’s ever done this before,” keep going! There’s a first time for everything, and your hard work can eventually lead you to your own victory.
Celebrate Beyond First Place
Olympic swimmer and medalist Lily King talked very openly about the American habit of not celebrating gold and silver. While I don’t always agree with her outspoken nature, this statement is something that I could fully get behind. We tend to have a nasty habit of only focusing on being number one: in sports, at work, or even our personal goals. Friendly competition can be very healthy, but celebrations shouldn’t always be based on standings alone. Instead, try to focus on your improvements. If you make strides towards your end goal and block out the additional noise, a ranking can be just one metric to monitor your success.
If At First You Don’t Succeed…
British diver Tom Daley has been a mainstay at the Olympic Games in the 10 meter since 2008. Always striving for gold, it finally happened in the 10 meter synchronized event. His reaction and celebration nearly brought me to tears. He kept his eye on his goals and never gave up. Outside of the pool, he inspires as an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. While the “try, try again” mentality is a cliche, it’s still nonetheless a powerful one. So many Olympic athletes have continued to compete, and some ultimately win, despite failures and setbacks. No matter the goal you’re trying to accomplish, the same can be true for you.
Do What You Love, Love What You Do
Perhaps my favorite story from the 2020 Olympics is that of gymnast Oksana Chusovitina. At age 46, she competed in her eighth and final Olympiad. She has represented the Soviet Union, Germany, and Uzbekistan, winning gold in 1992. She is considered a role model because of her continued dedication to the sport. It’s crystal clear that she genuinely loves what she does. While she claims that Tokyo is her final Olympic appearance, I don’t want to count her out and would love to see her one more time at the Paris 2024 games.
Finally, I want to give one last thank you to all of the incredible athletes who represented in Tokyo. No matter what country you call home, you serve as role models for little girls and boys all over the world. I was once one of those kids, wanting to be just like swimmers Jenny Thompson or Natalie Coughlin. How you present yourself away from the arena means more than the medals you have around your neck. As an adult, I’ve found a renewed inspiration by the real-life lessons these Olympians have so wonderfully served.
Love from Florida,
Katie
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