On the eve of the Paris Olympics Closing Ceremonies, I’m all depressed. For two weeks every four years, I do something I never do: binge watch. I cancel all social engagements and glue myself to the TV. Whether it’s badminton, canoeing, basketball, fencing, equestrian, golf — it doesn’t matter! Watching athletes at the top of their game, the best of the best in competition with each other, I’m filled with energy, awe, and of course, inspiration.
The Olympic athletes have always inspired me. They prove that dreams, through hard work, can come true — that anything is possible and no dreamer is too small.
But I can’t help but wonder, what about the thousands of athletes who also gave it their all and didn’t make Team USA? Who did everything right, gave every ounce of effort and dedication to their respective endeavors, and still came up short? Or the brilliant rugby player who worked tirelessly to be on Team USA only to find herself with a torn ACL months before Paris 2024. Or the world record holder in the 400m who contracted covid before the Olympic Qualifications and couldn’t compete.
What about all of them? Are they not inspiring, too?
As fate would have it, these athletes remain forever nameless. We do not hear their stories on NBC’s Primetime in Paris. We know only the stories of the Olympians. And so, I’m left wondering…do the athletes who didn’t make Team USA…do they regret the effort, the dedication, the sacrifice?
It goes without saying that training for the Olympic Qualifications or to be selected for the Olympic Team takes time. Lots and lots of time. Hours and hours of dedication, waking up at 5 a.m. to get the training in before work, stretching and foam rolling every evening, hitting the weight room after practice or work, hours of travel time for competitions. And money. The cost of massages and supplements to help the body recover, the cost of equipment, the cost of travel, etc.
Any attempt to make Team USA requires great sacrifice. For years, this sole goal is the focus of the athlete’s life. Forget about staying up late to watch a movie, or having a social life, or really, having any leisure time at all. Do these athletes — the ones who didn’t make the Olympic Team — do they regret trying?
I’m sure someone somewhere who didn’t make the cut regrets the attempt. I’m sure someone somewhere, in failing to make Team USA, looks back on his attempt and sees it as a waste of time and resources.
But I believe the number in this category is few. Finding herself on the precipice of greatness, the athlete who came up just short will undoubtedly be heartbroken. But not regretful.
The drive of these athletes, whether they made Team USA or failed in the attempt, is almost supernatural. Something has to be propelling this drive forward. What is it?
Love. Love for the game. Love for the pool, for swimming. Love for the perfect putt. Love for the shot, right on target. Love for the feel of the body spinning in the air and then slicing into the water at a perfect angle.
These athletes love their sport and competition, and we see that love on full display, whether they win or lose. As for the athletes whom we don’t see, regret could never be the outcome when love is the driving force.
In the final minutes of the Men’s Basketball Gold Medal Match between Team USA and France, Steph Curry had a gleam in his eye. In a matter of minutes, he unleashed a barrage of 3’s to put the final dagger into a magnifique French team.
Steph loves to play. He loves to play and he loves to shoot 3’s. Watching him is like watching a kid playing basketball for the first time. His love for the game is contagious, and even the French crowd found itself in awe today during his fourth quarter basketball acrobatics.
If love is the driving force, any endeavor, any dream, is worth pursuing. For me, that’s the lesson I’ve learned from these Olympics, these great and inspiring Olympians, and yes, even the nameless athletes who tried and failed in the attempt.
A fitting lesson from the City of Love.
Au revoir, Paris 2024! Vive la France!
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