I was so excited at the beginning of trials this year, because so many greats were coming back. For a moment it felt like back in the day when they first started letting the former Olympians that had gone pro come back. I remember for Figure Skating that was a big deal in 1994, in Norway. 1994, went really well for a lot of people though- Torvil and Dean, Katterina Witt, they all made their way back to the Olympics, Medal or no.
But, apart from one comeback that succeeded this year, 31 year old Anthony Ervin, there was varying shades of fail. The media is arguing that Shawn Johnson was the smart one, just to drop out. I think for her that was smart, but I don't think that just because people failed, and things didn't go well, that everyone should have taken that route. Tonight I saw the last of the failed comebacks, Dara Torres. I was so sure she was going to make it too, but just a little too slow off the blocks.
One thing, I think that the press has forgotten in all this, is that the Olympics is not just about winning, about the triumphant, incredible, unbelievable, miraculous comeback, Its about giving your all, and doing your best. Are we forgetting how miraculous it is that most of these people were even at a high enough level to make the trials? I think we should rejoice in that. I applaud all the athletes that attempted to comeback for their effort. I think it was inspiring, Olympics or no. It should teach us all to try, to go for things, no matter what we think is in our way- age, knee surgery, whatever. Nastia, and Dara I applaud your effort, and I think despite the short comings you both did some pretty great things this year. Amanda Beard and Janet Evans, I didn't see your races, but thanks for trying. It was nice to hope for you to succeed again, please never stop trying to be amazing.
The trials are not the Olympics, but they are the warm up to the Olympics, so we should have the same spirit and attitude toward them in my opinion. Good sportsmanship, effort, heart, compassion, fair play.
I once got a medal at a skating competition (ok so I have more than one medal, but this one was special) It said " Triumph is just UMPH added to TRY. so despite the failures, I would say that all of these athletes had a Triumph in this trial, even if they fell short of their overall goal.
But, apart from one comeback that succeeded this year, 31 year old Anthony Ervin, there was varying shades of fail. The media is arguing that Shawn Johnson was the smart one, just to drop out. I think for her that was smart, but I don't think that just because people failed, and things didn't go well, that everyone should have taken that route. Tonight I saw the last of the failed comebacks, Dara Torres. I was so sure she was going to make it too, but just a little too slow off the blocks.
One thing, I think that the press has forgotten in all this, is that the Olympics is not just about winning, about the triumphant, incredible, unbelievable, miraculous comeback, Its about giving your all, and doing your best. Are we forgetting how miraculous it is that most of these people were even at a high enough level to make the trials? I think we should rejoice in that. I applaud all the athletes that attempted to comeback for their effort. I think it was inspiring, Olympics or no. It should teach us all to try, to go for things, no matter what we think is in our way- age, knee surgery, whatever. Nastia, and Dara I applaud your effort, and I think despite the short comings you both did some pretty great things this year. Amanda Beard and Janet Evans, I didn't see your races, but thanks for trying. It was nice to hope for you to succeed again, please never stop trying to be amazing.
The trials are not the Olympics, but they are the warm up to the Olympics, so we should have the same spirit and attitude toward them in my opinion. Good sportsmanship, effort, heart, compassion, fair play.
I once got a medal at a skating competition (ok so I have more than one medal, but this one was special) It said " Triumph is just UMPH added to TRY. so despite the failures, I would say that all of these athletes had a Triumph in this trial, even if they fell short of their overall goal.
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