Olympic Dreams Lead to Great Examples – Of Overcoming Challenges
The Olympics have come and gone, and I am overwhelmed like I am every four years (or least two years between Winter and Summer Games). And what gets me the most is how they deal with adversity.
We all deal with challenges and setbacks. But as I tell my children, life isn’t about what happens to you… it is how you deal with it. And just think about some Olympians in history.
Michael Phelps: Widely regarded as one of the greatest swimmers of all time, Michael Phelps' journey to Olympic stardom was not without its difficulties. Phelps struggled with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) from a young age, which made it challenging for him to focus. Despite this, he channeled his energy into swimming, using the sport as an outlet to manage his condition. Phelps also faced personal struggles with depression and anxiety, particularly after his retirement in 2012. His return to the pool for the 2016 Rio Olympics, where he added five more gold medals to his collection, is a testament to his ability to overcome these challenges and perform at the highest level.
Wilma Rudolph: Wilma Rudolph’s story is one of the most inspiring in Olympic history. As a child, she was diagnosed with polio, a disease that caused her to lose strength in her left leg and foot. Doctors doubted she would ever walk again without assistance, let alone run. However, Rudolph defied the odds through years of physical therapy and sheer determination. By the time she was 16, she had made the U.S. Olympic team and went on to become the first American woman to win three gold medals in track and field at a single Olympic Games, achieving this remarkable feat at the 1960 Rome Olympics.
Derek Redmond: Derek Redmond’s story from the 1992 Barcelona Olympics is one of perseverance and the human spirit's triumph over physical pain. In the 400-meter semifinal, Redmond was a strong contender for a medal. However, midway through the race, he tore his hamstring. In excruciating pain, Redmond refused to give up. He struggled to his feet and began hobbling towards the finish line. In an emotional moment, his father ran onto the track, supporting his son as they completed the race together. Though he did not win a medal, Redmond's courage and determination left a lasting impression on the world.
Jesse Owens: Jesse Owens faced not only the physical demands of competition but also the immense pressure of competing in the 1936 Berlin Olympics under the watchful eye of Adolf Hitler, who intended to use the Games as a showcase for Aryan supremacy. Despite the hostile environment and the racial discrimination, he faced, Owens won four gold medals in track and field, shattering Hitler's vision of Aryan dominance and leaving a powerful legacy of resilience and equality.
Simone Biles: Simone Biles, one of the most decorated gymnasts of all time, made headlines during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics when she withdrew from several events to focus on her mental health. Biles had faced immense pressure as the face of the U.S. gymnastics team and was dealing with "the twisties," a dangerous mental block that can cause gymnasts to lose their sense of spatial awareness. Her decision to prioritize her well-being over competing resonated globally, highlighting the importance of mental health in sports and life.
These athletes’ stories illustrate that the path to success is often fraught with challenges. Their ability to overcome adversity and excel on the world stage serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience and determination required to achieve greatness. These stories, and many others, inspire others by demonstrating resilience, determination, and the power of the human spirit.
They also beg the question… are we all too often defined by the set-back/challenge? Do we allow that challenge to stop our dreams? And do we realize what still might be possible if we work through this issue(es)?
A good reminder that more is possible if we just work harder, get support, and keep dreaming. Everyone can achieve that elusive gold medal of our own making.
