If you want to know the strength of sports throughout the world, search no further than the Olympic Games. Every four years, we get the opportunity to see the world’s greatest athletes compete in the summer. The long list of sports include luge, badminton, curling, archery, sailing, gymnastics and many more.
It never crossed my mind to strive to become an Olympian. I was fortunate to play professional baseball for the Chicago Cubs and that required hours of physical and mental training. However, Olympians take their training up 10 notches.
As an Olympian, you are representing your country hoping to receive the gold medal. You are making sacrifices every minute of the day and you are aren’t getting paid a dime. I love the Olympics. It is pure competition for something larger than individual accomplishments.
Now that I think about it, I have heard several kids say that they want to play in the MLB, NBA and NFL but never have I heard one single kid say that I want to be an Olympian. Maybe it is from a lack of exposure. Or maybe because it requires too much of a sacrifice.
I read the story of Gabby Douglas moving from her families home in Virginia while in middle school to train in Iowa in order to become an Olympian. Was it worth it? Heck yeah it was. She is the first African-American female to win a gold medal in the gymnastics all-around. More importantly, she’s did it under the American flag. That is something that we all can be proud of.
How amazing are her parents for believing in Gabby so much that she would be allowed to achieve her dream of becoming an Olympian. Nights away from your loved ones. Gaining new friendships hundreds of miles away. Learning a new culture. When God speaks, you better move.
Hundreds of millions of eye balls are glued to television and social media every day viewing the Olympics. I would love to experience the feeling of holding the American flag with a medal around my neck. It makes all the hours of training worth it.
I look forward to continuing action of the Olympics admiring the sacrifice of its athletes and learning more about their journeys. They are Americans and their journey is our journey. They are winning for us all.
Go USA!
