The Olympic Games have been a thrilling experience, certainly for the athletes, as well as the TV audience. The athletes of all countries challenged themselves and put in a total effort in preparing themselves for what was an experience of a lifetime.
Apolo Ohno was amazing in the Short Track event. In his third Olympics, he was a true example of the “thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.” While Apolo is the favorite in the event he has taken his spills. He was knocked into the wall at the Torino Games and found himself disqualified after a near collision in Vancouver. Still he left it all on the ice and ended up setting a record for the most ice skating medals won by a single skater.
We all watched Lindsey Vonn, who hurt herself on the slopes in training prior to the competition, as she attacked the slopes, literally throwing caution to the winds as she pushed herself to the maximum, going all out for a gold medal. Bodie Miller also drove himself to his limits, throwing himself down the mountain in pursuit of gold. Both Lindsey Vonn and Bodie Miller, pushing the limits, missed gates and ended up as DNF (Did Not Finish) in events.
What’s missing in these stories? Excuses! None of these athletes blamed anyone for their problems. As Apolo Ohno said after the spill in Torino, “That’s Short Track!”
They knew the risks and they knew what they had to do to win. When they came up short, they were unapologetic, but not ashamed. They said they did their best and congratulated the winners.
Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” I once saw a sign on a wall that said, “Of all the things I can’t do, the one thing I can always to is my best.”
I get so tired of people in all walks of life blaming others for their misfortune. Who did it is not near as important is why it happened and how to get it right the next time. Fix the problem – not the blame!
