Five Things I Learned From The Olympics

Well, the Olympics are over and I’m starting to recover; not because I competed but because I stayed up every single night well into the wee hours of the morning watching the competitors vault, run, swim, fence, wrestle and toss themselves into Olympic glory (or not).

It's ironic that while the finest athletes in the world compete in strenuous games, we are encouraged to sit on the couch for counteless hours and watch. If you're like me, you usually do this with some chips and dip.

I was positively riveted and I have the large bags under my eyes to show it!  But now that life is getting back to normal, I have to take a moment and reflect on the things that these games have taught me.

Fitness is a beautiful thing

If I want a nice body, beach volleyball is the way to go! These women were positively beautiful.  Who knew that tough and strong could look so graceful and lovely?  And while I’ll never get into the kind of shape that 8-10 hours of practice will get me, I can certainly make more effort to make a priority the physical activity that my schedule can afford. And if I want nice legs, a toned butt and six pack abs, maybe I should re-think the eliptical and instead hit the beach with a net, ball and a friend.

Seeing these women reminded me of how great I felt when I was in better shape and how it’s not just about the body but the way that physical activity helps the mind, spirit and soul. There is something so beautiful about a strong, confident woman and I need to make more of an effort to set an example for my daughters so that they will strive for the same. 

I'll never forget the name Pistorius

I’d never heard of Oscar Pistorius before the Olympics but I love him.  I always shook my head when the announcers said how this was the first time in history someone like Pistorius was competing with “able-bodied” athletes. 

The idea of seeing Oscar as anything but "able-bodied" is preposterous.  While I understand their intent, I can’t help but note that Pistorius is like a gazillion times more “able-bodied” than like three quarters of the world!  Saying that he’s anything less is an insult. I love the fact that his parents never treated him differently and how far he’s come is a testament to how well that strategy worked. 

During one of his races I pointed to the television and said to my son, “Do you see that man running on those springs? He never quit or felt sorry for himself and look at him now.”  His jaw dropped and he stood motionless, staring at the screen. 

I can’t help believe that he will never forget that moment for the rest of his life; that when the 37th Olympics come around and some sportscaster recalls what Pistorius did in London 2012, my son is going to smile and remember exactly where he was at the moment he saw him run.  I want to go out and buy a poster of Oscar and hang it on my son’s wall.  Because that is  the kind of role model I want for my kids.

The meaning of 100th of a second

A one hundredth of a second can change your life.  Whether it was rowing, swimming, BMX biking or running, it was proven over and over again that a one hundredth of a second can be the difference between winning and losing, glory and disappointment.  The way this applies to my own life is two-fold.  I often don’t put in the amount of effort necessary to break that line between great and excellent in my life. 

Maybe I’m not winning Olympic gold but I can always be a better wife, mother and friend.  That extra effort makes a difference.  Also, it’s important to be focused and present.  Distractions are a virtual set-up for failure.  I need to be purposeful in my actions and remember that success is not only found in the countless hours of preparation but also in the split second moments of opportunity. Every 100th of a second counts!

The cheerful loser is the winner (Elbert Hubbard)

Seeing a gracious winner is amazing but seeing a gracious loser is even better.  More character shines through those who lose than those who win because when the dust clears, how you deal with disappointment says a lot about who you are. 

Take for example Lolo Jones who worked so hard to overcome the heartbreak she endured in Beijing only to come to London and have a repeat of the disappointment.  And while it was clear that she was sad, she was also strong, displayed an incredibly gracious attitude and plans to persevere and try again in Rio.  That speaks volumes in terms of commitment and especially about what kind of person she is. 

And if she ears that gold in 2016 it will be that much sweeter and she will be that better of a winner for having lost and understood defeat.

A writer said she was only at the Olympics because of her looks and didn’t have the talent.  I disagree.  Not only did she have the talent, she was a great example of sportsmanship.  The same was true with Jordyn Wieber who was tearful when she learned she wouldn’t make it to the all-around gymnastics competition but came back with full force in order to help her team win gold.  Yet another example of poise and a great attitude.  As much as I admired those who were standing on the podium, I often admired those who came in fourth even more.

Never challenge a Jamaican to a sprint race

Talk about domination! The Jamaican team did a great job of blowing out the competition and monopolizing the podium.  They were simply amazing but like Makayla Maroney, I was not impressed by Usain Bolt.  Granted, he is a spectacular sprinter, deserves credit for his talent on the track and is one of the best athletes of all time; however for all of his excellence, he showed a serious lack of humility, even arrogance after his performances. 

It's not the first time.  In 2008 he pumped his chest and declared himself the winner before he crossed the finishe line of the 100M.  He drew some serious negative press for that and did the same this time around when he said he had "no respect" for olympian Carl Lewis.

Boldness and confidence is good.  Unchecked cockiness is bad.  When he said, “I am now a living legend, bask in my glory” I couldn’t help but be turned off.  Bolt has such a huge gift but for me, that gift is obscured by the shadow case by his gigantic ego.

That being said, if I'm ever in Jamaica and someone is chasing me, I now know better than to even futily attempt to make a getaway.