Olympic Greatness

All eyes are on the Summer Olympics as the top athletes from around the world compete for medals and the title, “Olympic Champion.” Thousands of young people sit before their televisions, watching and dreaming of the same accomplishments.

Athletic competition has many benefits; promotes physical fitness and healthy nutrition, develops mental and emotional discipline and teaches goal setting. Team sports also promote and develop skills needed for cooperating with others. We hear many of the Olympians interviewed say that they “just want to do their best and have fun” or “I want to make my country proud!” Healthy attitude, right?

I challenge you to check your emotions when you watch a competition, you’re cheering on your favorite athlete or team, and the lose.. or they win! What do you feel? How do you react? Watch the athletes’ emotional reaction, too. What do you think they are feeling in that moment? If they truly want to simply, “do their best and have fun,” then why do we and they feel so emotional to either result?

Athletic competition, both individual and team, can be very healthy both physically and emotionally, but only when we detach ego and expectation. Fear-based emotions, such as fear of losing, not being good enough, not doing your best, not being the best, are harmful to the body. Athletes, parents of athletes, and coaches are responsible for every expectation, every push to perform better, to achieve greatness, to win and be the champion! Think of the intention of every word the athlete hears and says to themselves during practice, competition, and in the silent rewind of their thoughts. Is the athlete, parent, or coach harming the body and potentially creating disease or injury?