I thought I would be done writing about the Olympics by now. One post to kick it off and reminisce on childhood interests. Then settle in to watch every event I could and tweet incessantly. Yet the first week grabbed my hand and ran me all over Paris. The second week dug into more vulnerable places. Maybe it’s the early 30’s track of learning yourself again and finding what truly moves you. Therefore, watching dedicated people on the world stage became necessary.
This isn’t a small feat for any Olympian. There is no guarantee. Just hope and belief that years of training will lead to qualifying or selection to participate. They physical work is admirable, balancing training and recovery. Tweaking techniques and creating new elements. The mental work is vital and familiar.
Suni Lee, 6-time Olympic Gymnastics medalist, shared the affirmations she writes in her journal and tells herself ahead of competition. Caeleb Dressel, 10-time Olympic Swimming medalist, spoke about “The Critic” in an NBC Prime Time spotlight. The voice in his head that is never satisfied even after 5 gold medals at the 2020 Tokyo Games. Journaling is a crucial daily practice for me. I call my critic “The Saboteur”, an ever present, unimpressed voice that held me back for years.
Vulnerability from elite athletes is comforting. Everyone deals with similar feelings and must ground and soothe themselves. Be kind to yourself, even when things don’t go to plan. You may not place where you wanted or repeat as Olympic Champion. You may slip on an apparatus. It can be disappointing, temporarily devastating even but ultimately it is okay. You entered the arena, anyone giving you a hard time probably wouldn’t even endeavor to try.
My desire to improve my pole skill set has grown exponentially over the past 14 days. Seeing people be great brings me joy. Putting forth the best they have on a given day. Sometimes coming away with hardware or breaking records. We all understand what a world record is but sit with it. World record holders have reached a plane higher than anyone else in recorded history.
No one has sprinted faster than Florence Griffith-Joyner and Usain Bolt. They stand alone at the peak of accomplishment. Yet, people are ecstatic, cheering, and screaming when they reach the peak. Every other event was finished but Stade de France remained full as Armand Duplantis (SWE) broke his own world record to clear 6.25m in pole vault. Sam Kendricks (USA) hyped the crowd up, Emmanouil Karalis (GRE) helped him wrap his bleeding hand. This is the human connection that I love.
Stories like those of Kristen Faulkner propel me forward. She is a Cycling Road Race gold medalist who broke a 40-year drought for Team USA and just started cycling in 2017. There are also skateboarders Dallas Oberholzer (RSA) and Andy MacDonald (GBR). A 49 year-old enthusiast and a 51 year-old X Games veteran, respectively, were a pleasure to watch compete. For me, they embodied doing what you love for as long as you please. There is no age limit on fun and more people should tap into it.
One particular event radiated peace and reverence. Surfing spoke to my wanderer. Uninterrupted sounds of waves crashing. Surfers on their boards waiting for the right wave. Sometimes catching it, other times surrendering to the power. Emerging from the wall of water, arms pumping. It seemed clear that surfing requires respect for the ocean. Go out there cocky and you may not return. Give her respect and you can float on her flourishes. I wonder, what would it have been like to grow up on the ocean’s coast. To interact with the water every day. The ocean, along with the moon, will always fascinate me.
The Olympics rewired my brain. Days filled with people who have toiled and dedicated themselves. My life spans 9 Summer Olympics so far, and after this one the inspiration will become something real. I dreamed about sprinting or vaulting, neither moved into the competitive space. That story can be rewritten for something else. I want to see exactly how far dedication to what I love can take me. I competed locally the day after the games opened, more on that later. How far can I take it? How long can I do it for? Across the globe and until I say I’m done.
