The Olympics are nearly over for another four years. To me these games have been the most inspirational games I have ever watched. To see Anna Meares win gold after breaking her neck several years ago in a cycling accident was awe inspiring.The cast iron strength it would have taken to come back from such an injury shows just how strong the human psyche can be. Also injured in an accident, this time a car accident, Nathan Outteridge, one half of the sailing team to win gold. He fractured his back when his car hit a tree on his way home from training. The emotional as well as physical strength these athletes have to draw from within to come back from such injuries is what makes them champions.
Brittany Broben, the youngest member of the Olympic team at just 16 years of age reminds us we should be proud of our Australian youth. Despite the inner focus this young girl has and the drive to be a champion , underneath she is still a gorgeous teenager, bubbly, giggling and enjoying life. Here is hoping teenagers have watched her achievements and will aspire to be like her. To win a silver medal at just 16 years of age is an inspiration to us all.
Who can forget Tom Slingsby's utter despair at his defeat in Beijing when his sail boat collapsed. This man didn't stay down for long. He got back up on his boat and sailed back in from the sunset to win gold this time around., It would have been so easy for him to give up after his Beijing defeat, instead he pulled himself up and got right back on the boat.
It is not all about the medals. Those that don't win any medals are also inspirational.. Steven Solomen, 19 years old, who only took up professional sprinting in 2009 ran a great race to make the 400m finals. He came 7th out of 8 in this race, and he was stoked. His joy at being at the Olympics was written all over his face, which is what it is all about. It is not about the medals, or the accolades, it about reaching the status of Olympian. Any athlete who reaches this degree of eliteness is a winner.
I am really getting sick of the media essentially putting our athletes down if they don't win gold medals. Winning silver and bronze is an amazing achievement, just is making the cut to Olympian. I think our journalists need to step back and take a look at what is important in the Olympics. Yes the goal is to win gold and yes it is a big disappointment not to go home with one, but these athletes have achieved amazing feats just to get to the Olympics. So many inspirational stories. If we just look at the story behind the athletes achieving the ultimate of reaching Olympic status,we will see inspirational people who get very little help to get there. Their emotional and physical strength, their perseverance and the mind set they have to get into to achieve their dreams should be noted by all.
