I am about to begin watching the final piece of this Olympic games. As always, I am in the last time zone to see it, so I am sure you already have. But, before the flame is extinguished (for me, I already know its out in London) I want to share my memories that I am certain I will never forget, some things I loved, and some that I didn't.
I will always remember a female track star with a flower in her hair, to show power in femininity. I probably wont remember her name. I have to look it up not to know its Alysia Montano. But I wont forget the story behind it that they told and that "Running like a girl" is a good thing. I will remember a fifteen year old Lithuanian girl coming from no where again and again to get the gold and go beyond her own expectations.
I will remember gymnastic dreams reached, gymnastics dreams crushed, gold medals and flat out face plants. I will remember an American diver surprising everyone and getting gold. That was an amazing competition. I wont forget Mo and Rupp, or the Blade runner, and an amazing Grenadian, or the mini's that collected the discus and javelin.
I also will remember the dreams that were never realized. Arielle Martin, who was slated to go to the Olympics this year to compete in BMX crashed in training the day before she was to fly to London. Her injuries were extensive, and she didn't make it. But her faith and determination helped to inspire people from her home town, and her fellow BMX riders. As I watched BMX and saw her replacement rider with Arielle's initials on her hand I will admit a tear or two was shed. My mom told me the story originally. Arielle is LDS, and asked for a blessing in faith. She may not have made it to the Olympics, but there is so much inspiring about the story. Sometimes the Olympic creed that its not the triumph, but the struggle means painful things, but Arielle's struggle to get to the games (this is her second time barely missing out on going) is perhaps more inspiring than even if she had made it.
I wont forget the older athletes that came back one more time- many nearly forty, still amazing skills. Tunisia got their first medal, and Malaysia, celebrating their success was just as fun to me as celebrating the USA being number one on the medal count again. Tom Daily was inspiring, the french Men's gymnastics team- I didn't even know they existed!! and the french swimming relay team getting gold, even if it was at our expense.
I found out I love white water kayaking, rowing, the equestrian cross country event, mountain biking, BMX - Latvia won gold!! I was entertained by politicking in the women's high jump- trying to get all the athletes to pass a jump so they could all qualify to the final, but that didn't work because not everyone was on board. Missy Franklin- I wont forget that smile, or Nathan Adrian, or the fact that Ryan Lochte pees in the pool.
I tried, but could not get into sailing, rhythmic gymnastics or table tennis. I hate Judo and boxing, but I love taekwando- go figure, and archery is cool.
The most important thing I take from this Olympics however, Is my personal desire to do better and be better in every aspect of my life, because I know I can. I can run faster, eat healthier, be kinder, and just be better in every way. I can't do it in one day, but my goal is that in four years I can look back and measurably be a healthier, happier person. I know I have great potential- SO DO YOU!! At the close of these games, the training begins again in renewed strength to be the best me I can be. Faster, Higher, Stronger. Its time to dream again, and to work for a dream. No more coasting in life for me, as one of the US divers (Katie Bell) was reported to say I am going to say "I own this Shiz" (I changed the last word.) Lets go own it. And lets all go for gold, for peace, for good sportsman ship, for awesomeness. The Games have ended, but let the flame forever burn in your heart, inspiring you to greatness.
I will always remember a female track star with a flower in her hair, to show power in femininity. I probably wont remember her name. I have to look it up not to know its Alysia Montano. But I wont forget the story behind it that they told and that "Running like a girl" is a good thing. I will remember a fifteen year old Lithuanian girl coming from no where again and again to get the gold and go beyond her own expectations.
I will remember gymnastic dreams reached, gymnastics dreams crushed, gold medals and flat out face plants. I will remember an American diver surprising everyone and getting gold. That was an amazing competition. I wont forget Mo and Rupp, or the Blade runner, and an amazing Grenadian, or the mini's that collected the discus and javelin.
I also will remember the dreams that were never realized. Arielle Martin, who was slated to go to the Olympics this year to compete in BMX crashed in training the day before she was to fly to London. Her injuries were extensive, and she didn't make it. But her faith and determination helped to inspire people from her home town, and her fellow BMX riders. As I watched BMX and saw her replacement rider with Arielle's initials on her hand I will admit a tear or two was shed. My mom told me the story originally. Arielle is LDS, and asked for a blessing in faith. She may not have made it to the Olympics, but there is so much inspiring about the story. Sometimes the Olympic creed that its not the triumph, but the struggle means painful things, but Arielle's struggle to get to the games (this is her second time barely missing out on going) is perhaps more inspiring than even if she had made it.
I wont forget the older athletes that came back one more time- many nearly forty, still amazing skills. Tunisia got their first medal, and Malaysia, celebrating their success was just as fun to me as celebrating the USA being number one on the medal count again. Tom Daily was inspiring, the french Men's gymnastics team- I didn't even know they existed!! and the french swimming relay team getting gold, even if it was at our expense.
I found out I love white water kayaking, rowing, the equestrian cross country event, mountain biking, BMX - Latvia won gold!! I was entertained by politicking in the women's high jump- trying to get all the athletes to pass a jump so they could all qualify to the final, but that didn't work because not everyone was on board. Missy Franklin- I wont forget that smile, or Nathan Adrian, or the fact that Ryan Lochte pees in the pool.
I tried, but could not get into sailing, rhythmic gymnastics or table tennis. I hate Judo and boxing, but I love taekwando- go figure, and archery is cool.
The most important thing I take from this Olympics however, Is my personal desire to do better and be better in every aspect of my life, because I know I can. I can run faster, eat healthier, be kinder, and just be better in every way. I can't do it in one day, but my goal is that in four years I can look back and measurably be a healthier, happier person. I know I have great potential- SO DO YOU!! At the close of these games, the training begins again in renewed strength to be the best me I can be. Faster, Higher, Stronger. Its time to dream again, and to work for a dream. No more coasting in life for me, as one of the US divers (Katie Bell) was reported to say I am going to say "I own this Shiz" (I changed the last word.) Lets go own it. And lets all go for gold, for peace, for good sportsman ship, for awesomeness. The Games have ended, but let the flame forever burn in your heart, inspiring you to greatness.
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