Goin’ For Gold. For Some, Nothing Else Will Do…

While watching Team Italy embrace each other with celebratory tears for winning the Silver medal in Women’s gymnastics, I couldn’t help but be reminded of a conversation I had four years ago on the same subject: winning a Gold medal versus everything else.

For Team Italy, it was the first Olympic medal of any kind in that category in 96 years. A reason to exhale a collective sigh of relief, country-wide. A reason to thank God, the training staff and each other.

But let’s jump back to that conversation several years ago.

I had posted in social media about how proud I was, seeing a team win a Bronze medal, something their country had never received in that event. One of my followers rudely replied, “They lost. I can’t understand why you think that’s good.” When I explained why that was a victory for that country, he countered that anything short of Gold is a failure, which is what he taught his children.

We debated for some time before I realized I had become a victim of my own pet peeve, someone who argues with a faceless entity on the internet. It didn’t matter that I knew the guy, I was just upset at the thought of wasting my breath, or synovial fluid between my knuckles joints from typing, about something he obviously wouldn’t budge on.

For what it’s worth, I understand his logic, in that any and everyone who participates in the Olympics (or any competition, for that matter), has one thing in mind:

1st Place. The championship trophy. Olympic Gold!

Hell, I’d want it too. I mean, let’s face it, that is the highest honor, showing the world that you are the absolute best! We train and practice for hundreds, thousands of hours to develop the strength, endurance, resilience and expertise for a chance to win it all.

But what about the hundreds of competitors who don’t win Gold? What does that say about them?

Well, I, for one, would never call them losers.

Let’s start with the fact that the great majority of us could not possibly compete with ANY of them.

Nor could we, against the thousands who vied for that spot, yet failed, to quality for their respective teams.

The very fact that they could achieve medal status is amazing. And as I said earlier, for many countries, a Silver or Bronze is a first for them and something to rejoice, whether in that category or in that nation’s history for ANY medal. I think that watching those fans scream and shout in jubilation in those stands is a beautiful thing.

For many countries, a Gold medal is one of many to add to their shelves of glory.
But for some, a medal in any category is historic. A milestone. A first.

I don’t sneeze at that fact, nor do I belittle it.
Neither should you.

These are athletes, giving their all. And yes, there can only be one winner. And for some, it might very well be their one and only shot at it, considering these events occur only once in four years. A lot can happen to the human body in that time and remember, there’s always an up and coming athlete ready to take that spot.

But for person who IS fortunate enough to compete on the world’s greatest stage, no matter what the outcome, it is a series of days, and one incredible moment, that will be etched in their minds for the rest of their lives.

Which is why I love the opening ceremonies so much. Because before the action begins, there is a parade of stars. Each one adorned in their country’s beautiful colors, smiling, styling, bumping, jumping, prancing, dancing, gliding and striding with pride as if to say, ‘Here I am world, representing my beloved home country amidst this pantheon of warriors. I am their delegate. I am their champion. I have come to compete against the world’s very BEST!’

So my words to all of those wonderful Olympians: This is your time. Live in the moment and give it your very best. And let no man tell you that your best is not enough. Show us what makes you, you. Show us what got you there. And have a damn good time doing it!

As Truman (Billy Bob Thornton) said to the astronauts in the 1998 movie Armaggeddon, “Ok, Gentlemen, you’re our warriors up there. God be with you. You’re already heroes, so just sit back and enjoy the ride…”

We are so proud of you. Go for Gold, baby…

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