I was thirteen years old when the Olympic Games came to Los Angeles in 1984. My family traveled three thousand miles, across the country, to experience the games firsthand. We had always been Olympic junkies, so we were excited to see the events "up close and personal."
I was always an athlete myself and an obvious fan of the Olympics' many sports, but I don't think I had the slightest idea how much I would be drawn in by the spectacle. It was that first day in the sweltering seats of the grand track and field Coliseum that something changed in me. I couldn't believe that I was sitting a few feet away from REAL Olympic athletes. They no longer felt like movie actors playing parts; these were real people, performing real feats and receiving real medals.
I'll be honest with you though, seeing these physical phenoms on their various fields of play, it didn't matter how many records they had broken or how much "Olympic bling" was hanging around their necks. What mattered was their dedication. Their spirit. Their passion. They were ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
For me, those 28 years ago, sitting in those Los Angeles grandstands, my dreams and desires were no longer a vague concept. They were now a bona fide prospect. I looked at those Olympians with awe and vowed that someday I would become one of them.
That initial inspiration propelled a lifetime of hard work. It was always the memory of those athletes that helped me persevere through hard times and push past insurmountable obstacles -- and believe me, there were many. And ten years later, I was walking into my own Olympic Opening Ceremonies. And the tears that stained my face demonstrated that the journey was worth it. I was able to stand where my heroes once had. And I knew my presence there had the potential of inspiring some other child leaping out of his or her spectator seat or yelling along with exuberant spirit. Maybe I could motivate someone to push a little harder to understand their childhood dreams.
So, as a mom now that is typically very conscious to keep her children away from the television for the better part of the day, I'm okay leaving on NBC nearly 24/7 to blast inspirational images into the depths of my children's souls. Whether they connect with a Michael Phelps, Gabby Douglas, Lopez Lomong, Missy Franklin or Oscar Pistorius, it doesn't matter. I just hope they recognize that these people are heroes, and with the same drive and dedication, they can be too.
Every four years, Olympians step onto the field, track, court and pool and demonstrate why they are the best in the world at their designated sport. I've been fortunate to know how an Olympian's efforts can inspire an endless number of girls and boys to accomplish great feats. I love the thought of some wide-eyed child saying, "Twenty-two, huh? Michael Phelps is human just like me. Why can't I top that record?" Who knows, maybe it will be mine.
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| 1 | United States | 46 | 29 | 29 |
| 2 | China | 38 | 27 | 23 |
| 3 | Russia | 24 | 26 | 32 |
| 4 | Great Britain | 29 | 17 | 19 |
| 5 | Germany | 11 | 19 | 14 |
| 6 | Japan | 7 | 14 | 17 |
Maroney looked as if she had the life crushed out of her. I wouldn't want my daughter to work so hard for something that could be lost with just one slight error. Too much pressure and too much attention - not a good thing for a young person.
And even had she won - then what? A few years as a celebrity and then a lifetime as a has-been or trivia question. No thanks - there are more important things on which to spend your energy than sports. It's a poor bargain for such a young person.
I do however love the conversation it’s started.
If an athlete demonstrates how you can push yourself harder, motivates others to reach further than believed possible, or if inspires a young youth to steer away from drugs or crime or something more horrific, then I would definitely call them a hero. It was my Olympic role models that helped keep me driving, pushing past obstacles, sticking on the right path, wanting to be a better person. Who knows the extent of their inspiration when an athlete’s character follows the depth of their athletic prowess? Why not encourage these Olympians to use their lofty acts to inspire others? If these athletes help move my children to be more, physically, mentally and emotionally, then I applaud and revere them. To ME, this IS what a hero is!
I will leave it by saying that I would never be dumb enough to make the comparison of what an Olympian accomplishes and what military men or women sacrifice, risk and devote themselves to. I LOVE OUR TROOPS and believe they are TRUE HEROES!
Perhaps it is because you have a medal or two that you would like these people to be considered to be heroes.
You have diminished the word "heroes".
Authors and reporters need to start using words as they are described in dictionaries. People listen to you and you lead them into dumbness.
Words are powerful. Please use them wisely and correctly.
What's even worse is how taxpayers in virtually every nation that hosts the Olympics is virtually a money loser for them. The only real winners aren't even the Athletes (they most likely will make pennies on the hours invested and the Billions brought in) but the Corporations and Advertisers. I don't even think the Networks walk away with a profit.