The Kindest Games

Hello All,

Ahhh, the Tokyo Olympics are soon drawing to a close. The games definitely give me a new appreciation for sports – and truly an even greater appreciation for the athletes who dedicate so much time, blood, sweat and tears to their craft. I know it is tough when they don’t medal, but I hope they do not forget that they are there because they are the very best at what they do! Even if they came in last, they beat out competitors world-wide to be at the Olympics!

These games have seemed like the kindest Olympics of all. I don’t know why. Perhaps because these athletes had to wait a year to compete secondary to this crazy (and seemingly never ending) pandemic – perhaps it made finally getting to the Olympics that much sweeter. Perhaps it is the athletes themselves – their incredible sportsmanship and recognition of each other’s achievements. Perhaps it is because what we all needed to see right now is that it is not about party or politics or winning – it is about the sheer joy of coming and being together. Perhaps it is because we have collectively realized that it is not about the medals at all – it is about the hearts and souls of these athletes, the humans behind those phenomenal skills. Perhaps it is because we now know that it is not only the physical toll this takes, it is the mental/emotional toll as well. Celebrating with their competitors – pep talks – hugs and encouragement after disappointments – all touched me. Many kudos to NBC for paying attention to those kinder, gentler moments and making sure that we all got to witness them!

For me, there were so many moments that touched my heart (and I have no doubt there will be more before the games conclude). It was watching the high jumpers, Gianmarco Tamberi from Italy and Mutaz Barshim, compete. They are both competitors and friends – and both perfect until the bar was set at 7 feet, 10 inches. Both of them missed all three attempts to clear that bar. The next step would be a “jump off” to declare a winner. What happened – after consultation with the Olympic leaders – is they shared the gold! What sportsmanship! What recognition of each man’s contribution to the sport! Barshim stated “I know for a fact that for the performance I did, I deserved that gold. He did the same thing, so I know he deserved that gold. This is beyond sport. This is the message we deliver to the younger generation.” What leadership! And Tamberi said “Sharing with a friend is even more beautiful. It was just magical.” What joy!

It was watching Isaiah Jewett of the United States and Nijel Amos of Botswana, who collided in the 800-meter semifinal and both went down – truly a runner’s nightmare. Not only did they help each other up, they finished the race together, with their arms wrapped around each other’s shoulders.

It was watching the women’s 200-meter finals of the breast stroke, a very competitive race. Tatjana Schoenmacher of South Africa won the gold. Lily King (widely predicted to win) of the US won the silver, followed by her teammate Annie Lazar for bronze. It was watching those women, huddled together at the end of the pool, celebrating Schoenmacher’s win! Words like “you are amazing” flowed as fast as the water.

It was watching Denmark’s Viktir Axelsen beat the defending champion Chen Long in badminton – and switching shirts!

It was watching athletes from countries who had never had an Olympic champion before – like Hidilyn Diaz, who won the first ever gold medal for the Phillippines in the women’s 55-kg weightlifting event. Seeing her joy and the congratulations of her competitors…..priceless!

It was also about quieter battles. I am now a huge fan of Tom Daly, the British gold medal winner in synchronized diving from the 10-meter platform. Over and over you saw him at other events, cheering om his fellow athletes, and knitting and crocheting! He made a cardigan embroidered with symbols of the Tokyo Olympic Games and Great Britain (and a cute little holder for his gold medal!). He uses these skills to make things to auction to raise awareness and funds for the Britain’s Brain Tumor Charity, in honor of his father, who died of brain cancer in 2011. His father never got to see Tom’s debut in the London Olympics the very next year. I am sure his father was there in spirit, in London and in Tokyo.

I needed the Olympics. I needed to see the kindnesses exhibited. It is no accident that the Japanese Olympic leaders made their slogan include “Stronger Together”. Because we are!

Now if we just continue to remember that and act that way outside of the Olympic games!

Phyl