The Human Spirit

Hello All,

Wilma Rudolph, American sprinter and Olympic champion, was the first woman to win three gold medals in a single Olympic games in 1960 in Rome, Italy. Ms. Rudolph said:

“Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lies within each of us.”

That is why I love the Olympic games – the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. It is why I am glued to the television screen when home, read on-line news for the latest updates, and listen to the radio in the car – I don’t want to miss a thing. It is about the athletes – it is about their stories – it is about their efforts to excel on one of the world’s most incredible venues. If they win a medal, that is wonderful. The truth is they are already winners. The truth is we celebrate them for being there – for representing their country – and for their sheer dedication and true grit they have given to their sport, the hours and years of effort to be the very best – and for doing all of this with a worldwide pandemic!

There are so many incredible stories already. Some have made me smile – some have made me cry (like almost every time I see the families cheering on these incredible athletes…..and every time they show the faces of the athletes when they realize they medaled!).

How about those teen skateboarders! Two 13-year olds won gold and silver in the women’s street skateboarding competition – among the youngest medalists ever! Momiji Nishiya of Japan, the gold medal winner, was so excited that “I welled up in tears because I was beyond happy.” Raysa Leal from Brazil actually fist caught the attention of the skateboarding world when she – at age 7! – was seen on Instagram landing a jump with a flip down three stairs while wearing a dress with fairy wings! Her nickname is “Little Fairy” – and that name has now been trademarked just for her!

What about Lydia Jacoby, the 17-year old swimmer from Alaska who won the gold medal in the 100-meter breaststroke! First swimmer from Alaska to ever make the swimming team…..and from a state where there is only one 50-meter pool in which to practice, which happens to be about 120 miles from where Lydia lives in Seward. She actually practiced a lot in her city…..in a 25-meter pool. Evidently the running joke in Seward is when tourists come off of the cruise ships and see the banners for Lydia and ask where she trains, the citizens say “with the whales and sea lions”! What a joy she was to watch!

Katie Ledecky – what a phenom! And the kind of person you think would just be great to have a drink with! And when Caeleb Dressel won the gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle event and saw his family for the first time via video link, I don’t know who was crying harder, Caeleb, his family or me!

I also love the fact that the youngest Olympian is from Syria – 12-year old Hend Zaza who plays table tennis. The oldest? Sixty-six year old Mary Hanna from Australia who is an equestrian.

These Olympic games are the most gender-equal in the history of the games! At least 49% of the 11,090 athletes are women. There are new events for women and new mixed-gender team events were added (boxing, rowing, swimming). And they are the most inclusive games ever with a record number of LBGTQ+ athletes, including two transgender competitors!

I cannot end this without sending shout-outs to the American women’s gymnastic team. What an incredible team, who dealt with adversity with grace and dignity like the true champions they are. Congratulations to the silver medalists! Congratulations to Suni Lee, the gold medalist in the gymnastics All Around competition! Her story – and the story of her family – is so heart-warming. (I think her father is one of my new heroes.) And Simone Biles – you are and always will be the G.O.A.T. Thank you for recognizing that sometimes letting go is the most important gift you can give to yourself and your team. You are a true champion.

Ben Williams said “Man never made any material as strong as the human spirit.” We have seen that demonstrated over and over again in these games.

The power of dreams. The influence of the human spirit. I can hardly wait to watch these incredible humans over this next week!

Phyl

P.S. Kudos to Japan for recycling! The Olympic medals are made from recycled mobile phones! How cool is that!