Persistence, Pain and the 2010 Winter Olympics

Permanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragement, and impossibilities: It is this, that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak.

~ Thomas Carlyle

As I watch the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, B.C. on our television, I am astounded by the sportsmanship, the talents and the abilities of the athletes.  What is even more amazing is hearing the stories of the trials, tribulations and sacrifices some of them have encountered just to get there.  That is where persistence really pays off.

Like any sporting event, there are heartwarming success stories of the gold, silver and bronze medalists, and there are the shocking disappointments of those who did not win.  It’s unfortunate that it has to be that way, but that’s why they call it competition.

Some of the medalists I have seen have tremendous stories of how they persevered to get to the winter games.  One of the female figure skaters had actually left her home country to seek citizenship in another so she could train with the best trainer in her field.  Her birth country called her a traitor.

Some of the athletes arrived with injuries that could have had prevented them from competing.  However, downhill skier Lindsay Vonn from the United States was persistent in her efforts and earned a gold medal despite her bruised leg.

One of the athletes who has a particularly heartwarming story is Men’s Moguls Gold Medalist, Alexandre Bilodeau of Canada.  In the 2006 Olympics, he finished 11th, but later became the youngest athlete to win a World Cup moguls event.  His inspiration behind his win – his older brother Frederic with cerebral palsy, who is also one of his heroes.  It’s no doubt that persistence was a factor leading to his win.

Many of these athletes, like everyone else, have at some point in their careers suffered injury, financial obstacles, broken families or the illness or loss of a loved one; however, their persistence paid off as they arrived to attend the opening ceremonies last Friday which would mark the beginning of a journey of a lifetime.

To Your Success!

Kay L. Fontana
“The Grandcoach”

P.S. The death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili in Whistler on Friday was a terrible tragedy and unfortunate accident.  My thoughts and prayers go out to Nodar’s family, friends and fellow athletes.