Olympic Stories
I love the Olympics. During these riveting summer weeks, I spend way too much time in front of the TV. The journey of participating athletes is so inspiring to me. Each one has a story. Although most will never win a medal, all of them remind us of the possibilities of the human body when fueled by the spirit of a determined mind. In years past, like many of you, I’ve been drawn to those events which attract the most attention. Watching gymnasts fly though the air and then land with precision on a 4-inch balance beam is nothing short of breathtaking. Swimming relays splashing towards the finish with milliseconds of difference might be one of the most exciting sporting events ever. The Olympics are engaging and captivating.
This year I find myself paying more attention to the other, less attention-grabbing events. I know more about hand ball than I ever did. And who ever heard of 3 on 3 basketball? I also love watching competitions that lead to incredible “firsts.” Anastasija Zolotic became the first woman from the United States to win Olympic gold in taekwondo. She’s 18 years old. My question for her is, how in the world did such passion and direction for taekwondo become so paramount at such a young age?
Alaskan Lydia Jacoby, age 17, won the Gold Medal in the 100m breaststroke event. Do you know there’s only one Olympic sized training pool in the entire state of Alaska? Yet this young teen found a way to train and prepare herself for the world stage in swimming. Lee Kiefer made history as the first athlete from the United States to win a gold medal in fencing. Think about it. I wonder how she even discovered the world of foil fencing. She’s 27 years old and in medical school!
And then there are others where age defies the norm. Oksana Chusovitina, a 46-year-old gymnast from Uzbekistan, just participated in her 8th summer Olympic games. She has been an Olympian since 1992. At the age of 46, I was watching my waist expand. My athletic accomplishments are non-existent compared to any of these players, unless you count carrying snack coolers to the sideline for my kids’ sporting events. Story after story after story of these athletes reflect the grit and determination and discipline that are simply amazing. All of them.
As I sit on my couch watching impressive muscles contract and looks of fierce determination (way too often with a bowl of ice cream), I’m reminded of the lessons of sport. First, these athletes remind me that we can all reset ourselves in what is possible. I may not become the next Olympic synchronized swimmer, but I can set goals to become stronger and empower my mind through a bit more body endurance. If nothing else, I’ll feel better. And second, sport can lift us from other kinds of struggle. When we come together to cheer on these inspiring athletes, for a bit of time we can be distracted from the challenges of Covid variants, political discourse, and a sundry of other matters that rest on our troubled minds.
As I write, there are not many days of Olympic competition left. I can’t wait to hear more stories that arise, and I’ll have to plan my own goals for personal best. That is, when I get up from the couch. Go Team USA.