Iâve always been fascinated by the athletes participating in the Olympics … such dedicated beings, so focused, and so no-nonsense types, you look at them and you know they mean business. Theyâve lived in the same world, and theyâve grown up with the same circumstances, in fact some of them have lived a more troubled life than the majority of us, and still they go on to achieve a lot more than what we can dream of achieving, a hell lot more.
To quote Sir M. Iqbal (a poet Iâll strongly recommend you all to read) â¦
Both live and fly the same skies
But Eagle lives in a different world from that of a vulture
How true is that, these athletes actually live in a different world from all of us, they dream differently, they breathe differently, they eat differently, they sleep differently, thatâs precisely the reason why we see only one guy standing on the podium, only one winner who takes it all, while all of us will spend our lives thinking, how does it feel to be the best in what we do? But wait ⦠we can still have an idea as to how does it feel, or more importantly, what does it take to get there, and that is to listen when they speak. And that is what I do every now and then, going through the sayings of these elite sportsmen ⦠following are some really rich ones, that will impart a lot a lot of invaluable lessons, but only if you are ready to learn.
1. The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well.
The essential thing in life is not conquering, but fighting well ⦠how true, how incredibly true ⦠but what do we do? We fight miserably, lethargically, half-heartedly, yet we expect to be a winner every day, and in whatever we do? Remember, even if you are the best of the best athletes, there will be very few moments when you can stand still and wait for the life to hand you a medal, but what really matters is nothing but fighting, and thatâs the life for you.
Oh, and that quote wasnât from an athlete but Pierre Frédy, who is regarded as the founder of modern Olympics.
2. The first thing is to love your sport. Never do it to please someone else. It has to be yours.
Again, Peggy Fleming has hit the nail on the head (and you can expect nothing less from a three time world champion). The take-home point is, if you are looking to be anywhere near the top, it is important to do what you love to do. Because you cannot excel at something you were not made for, let alone becoming a world-beater. So, as soon as youâve discovered something you love doing, donât look at others for the approval, just do it with all your heart, and the approval will come when youâve become a âgreatâ in doing that.
3. As long as Morceli is in the race, it is always a race for second place.
The next on our list is not one but two quotes, the first one (the aforementioned one) is by Venuste Niyongabo, and when you see such a quote coming from a guy who happens to be in the list of top ten fastest milers ever in the history of mankind, you should know that Morceli has got to be someone very special. So why not take a look at what was the approach that took Morceli to such heights, here you go â¦
I run to be known as the greatest runner, the greatest of all time. I could not eat or sleep for a week after I lost in the 1992 Olympics. I have to win or die.
I really canât think of anything to add, just read it again ⦠I could not eat or sleep for a week after I lost, I have to win or die ⦠No wonder, he won quite comprehensively in the following competitions.
4. When anyone tells me I can’t do anything, I’m just not listening anymore.
Florence Griffin is dubbed as the âfastest woman of all timeâ, setting two world records that no one hasnât even come close to beat. And the âsomeoneâ in this quote isnât necessarily a person; it can very well be some statistics, past records, the beliefs, and the likes. You will get the âyou canât do itâ message in a hundred different words, and a hundred different sources (the worse being your own self) but as long as youâve got that whisper coming from your heart telling you that âyou canâ, you can simply stop listening to the naysayers.
5. I got a bronze medal and I can’t complain about that, the only African-American to get a medal in the Winter Olympics.
Another very important message coming from Debi Thomas i.e. when competing or striving to achieve a target, you must remember that getting the gold is not the only form of success, there are many times when youâll fail to reach your targets, while missing by a small margin, when it happens, you must look at how far youâve come and cherish your achievements, instead of sulking over the small distance youâve failed to make.
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Rahil writes for a coupon code website, where you can find london pass discount code and world soccer shop coupon, and a lot more discounts and vouchers in addition to London Pass and World Soccer Shop.
