I'm a big fan of the Olympics, but like many I look forward mostly to watching the big names compete in the major sports. Gymnastics, swimming, and tennis are some of my favorites, and most of the time I'm pretty certain that one of my favorite competitors is going to land on the podium with a coveted medal hanging around their neck. I don't often pay attention to the "unknowns" that are participating in the Games. But in watching some of the qualifying rounds in which the announcers were discussing the "long-shot" chances of the less powerful competitors, it donned on me that the Olympics are the epitome of one of my parenting mantras, "Whatever you do, do your best at it."
There is no doubt that it is hard to stay motivated when things aren't going your way. Even if you are a top athlete in your country that certainly doesn't mean that you'll get anywhere near the podium when it comes time to compete on the world's stage. Not only that, but it takes a lot of time, energy, and money to get yourself to the Olympics. These "unknown" athletes are spending just as much time on the practice field as their star counterparts and in my opinion it takes more heart to keep at it when you know your chances of winning are slim.
But they do it. They practice over and over and over again for their chance to be a part of this elite competition knowing that they aren't going to win. Being a part of it is the reward. For the next two weeks I have a visual to show my kids that even if you aren't always a winner, as long as you've done the best you can, you have succeeded. I doubt my children will ever make it to the Olympics (there is certainly some innate athletic talent also required for that and I'm not sure where they'd get it from) , but whether they become plumbers or teachers or artists or rocket scientists, I want them to know that they always need to work hard and do their best. And if they do, they'll have succeeded no matter what awards they do or don't receive.