Olympic Sized Tip
We in Vancouver are welcoming the world to compete, cheer, and if you are Dick Pound add to your list of "all the stupid things I have said about athletes". I wasn't going to talk about the Olympics because I love the athletes, I love the competition, I love the discipline and focus it takes to compete at the Olympics. But, unfortunately the Olympics are about many things I don't love and none of them are about sports. But, I digress, I wasn't going to talk about the Olympics, until our fellow Canadian was quoted as saying " Canadian athletes that don't make the podium are just tourists". Oh brother, that is embarrassing. For the record Dick, it is more embarrassing than coming in fourth or tourist class.
Well Dick Pound is a little like the distant cousin that you hope doesn't show up for your party and proceed to embarrass the family. How about we make a pact, no more dissing the athletes, no matter what. Even if they have monster egos which funnily enough when athletes are really good they are also usually unassuming and encouraging. So that leaves me to believe that Dick has a case of "I was never really good enough to be the best, only good enough to be a tourist (his word not mine). Dick has won many Commonwealth medals, but he only placed 6th in his Olympic event and 4th with his relay team.
Apparently he has been trying to make up for it ever since.
When I coach adults and encourage them to try something new, their greatest fear is looking foolish or being the worst/last/most pathetic (also their words not mine). What I have found is that if you talk to really talented athletes what they say to "newbies" to their sport is AWESOME. They appreciate you putting it on the line, maybe getting that little extra courage to perhaps look foolish or uncomfortable. What they really want is for you to enjoy their sport as much as they do. They risk it all, give up a lot, and sacrifice daily because there is something they love about it. The Olympic ideal is to be your best, strive for greatness and hopefully be able to put it all together on that one day.
So here is my Olympic tip of the day, take one aspect of your life and add a dash of Olympic sized dedication to making it better. If we all had a fraction of the discipline and focus it takes to be an Olympic athlete we would all be better for it.
Well Dick Pound is a little like the distant cousin that you hope doesn't show up for your party and proceed to embarrass the family. How about we make a pact, no more dissing the athletes, no matter what. Even if they have monster egos which funnily enough when athletes are really good they are also usually unassuming and encouraging. So that leaves me to believe that Dick has a case of "I was never really good enough to be the best, only good enough to be a tourist (his word not mine). Dick has won many Commonwealth medals, but he only placed 6th in his Olympic event and 4th with his relay team.
Apparently he has been trying to make up for it ever since.
When I coach adults and encourage them to try something new, their greatest fear is looking foolish or being the worst/last/most pathetic (also their words not mine). What I have found is that if you talk to really talented athletes what they say to "newbies" to their sport is AWESOME. They appreciate you putting it on the line, maybe getting that little extra courage to perhaps look foolish or uncomfortable. What they really want is for you to enjoy their sport as much as they do. They risk it all, give up a lot, and sacrifice daily because there is something they love about it. The Olympic ideal is to be your best, strive for greatness and hopefully be able to put it all together on that one day.
So here is my Olympic tip of the day, take one aspect of your life and add a dash of Olympic sized dedication to making it better. If we all had a fraction of the discipline and focus it takes to be an Olympic athlete we would all be better for it.
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