by Jim
Allen
1. Sometimes, the number 1 is the biggest number there is.
Eleven countries in the 2002 Winter Olympics were represented
by a "team" of just one athlete. To these athletes,
from countries like Cameroon, India, and South Africa, the glory
was not just competing for the medals, but in representing their
sport, and their countries with pride.
2. The leader of the pack is not always the winner.
There's a lot to be said for the smooth, measured pace
towards the back, as Australian Steven Bradbury knows:
Trailing in the 1000-meter qualifying race, he'd make it to
the finals after the other competitors collided on the track.
Using the same strategy in the final proved effective, too. A
similar collision took out the competition in that race and
Bradbury stepped off the track as a Gold medalist (the first
winter Olympic gold medalist in Australian history).
3. We can't control what others think of us.
The pairs figure skating competition would prove that life,
if nothing else, is very subjective. Jamie Salle and David
Pelletier skated what many believed to be a gold-medal
performance. The judges, however, awarded the gold to Russian
skaters Elena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze. The pair would
later be awarded a "second" gold medal (and share the
gold medal award with Berezhnaya and Sikarulidze) but, judging
improprieties or not, the truth remains: You must be confident
in your actions as you can't control what others will think.
4. It's better to focus on doing one's best than on being
the best.
Figure skater Sarah Hughes, in fourth place after the women's
short program, went into the final prgram with the smallest
chance of winning a medal. Rather than focus on winning, she
decided to go out, have some fun, and do her best, which she
did. It was a remarkable performance that led to her winning the
gold medal.
5. "Down" doesn't mean "out".
Just a month before the games, speed skater Chris Witty was
diagnosed with mononucleosis, jeopardizing her participation in
the Olympics. Not only would she attend the games, she won the
gold in the 1000 meter race... AND set a world record while
doing so.
6. Life is consistently inconsistent.
Much as we'd like each of our days to be calm and
trouble-free, there are so many things beyond our control that
this just isn't realistic. Ask Apolo Anton Ohno....
A favorite for each of the four speed-skaiting competitions
he was entered in, Ohno would win the Silver medal in a race he
was easily winning until a few players bumped each other and
"wiped-out." Then he would win Gold in the 1500-meter
race, after the South Korean entrant was disqualified. In his
third race, he would be disqualified. In his fourth race, he did
not make it into finals.
And that's life.
7. Speed into the future, but remember your past.
With every new day, the future speeds upon us, but not so
fast that we can forget those who came before us and paved the
way.
Jim Shea helped return the sport of skeleton to the winter
Olympics; the sport last appeared in a winter olympics back in
1948. Along the way, Shea championed not just the sport, but the
spirit of the Olympics, imparted to him by his father and
granfather, both winter Olympic medal-winners themselves. Sadly,
Shea's grandfather died just two weeks before the, but his
spirit lives on. --Jimmy Shea, carrying a photo of his
grandfather in his helmet, crossed the finish line on his final
run as the gold medal winner.
8. We get by with a little help from our friends.
As if a testament to the power of standing by one's friends,
Jill Bakken and Vonetta Flowers won gold in the 2-person bobsled
competition. Earlier in the week, Flowers had been asked by
fellow U.S. competitor (and gold medal favorite), Jean Racine,
to partner with her, instead of Bakken. Flowers refused.
9. Everyone has a dream.
No matter who was interviewed -- coaches, athletes, family,
or observers -- everyone brought with them their own Olympic
dream of what could be. Every person has their own dream,
whether it's to compete in the Olympics or to fly to the moon.
Just as we support our athletes in the pursuit of their dreams,
let us support each other for our individual dreams as well.
10. We can work it out.
In a world filled with war, terrorism, and territory
disputes, the Olympics showed once more that -- even while
nations might not always agree with each other (inside and outside
the games) -- they can come together, peacefully, to experience
the beauty of sport and competition. It's a start.
Jim Allen is a professional life & business coach
who helps people discover & apply ideas that simplify and
improve their lives. For more ideas, subscribe to his FREE
bi-weekly newsletter, The Big Idea by sending a blank
email to: SubscribeMA@CoachJim.com.
©2001 Jim M. Allen & CoachJim.com
