Life Lessons From the 2012 Olympics

There were so many life lessons that bear repeating from the Summer 2012 Olympics hosted in London, England…the most watched TV event in U.S. history. These lessons flow from the lives, struggles and personal sacrifices of nearly 11,000 athletes from 205 countries. It teaches each of us how to boldly face the many challenges of our time and lives.

Who can ever forget the sheer magic of 16 year old Gabby Douglas’ million dollar smile that framed years of hard work and sacrifice?  Her dogged determination produced two gold medals and a big “I love you” mouthed from the stands by her single parent mother whose prayers and struggles to raise her children alone paid off.  While some got caught up in petty criticism of Gabby’s hair style, or analysis of her mother’s financial woes, Douglas smiled broadly and soared into the history books as the first African American to win the all-around gymnastic trial.

When all-time winning gold medalist superstar swimming champion Michael Phelps lost his first race, a shocked world began to wonder if he was “washed up”.  He could have easily accepted the message that maybe his time for victory had past and given up. Instead, Michael summoned an inner resolve, determined that one bad race would not define his whole Olympic experience, and went on at age 27 to become the most decorated Olympian of all time with 22 medals.  Phelps taught us all that one mistake in our youth, in marriage, a business deal, or a job, should not define the rest of our lives if we are committed to not letting our past become our future.

And what about Oscar Leonard Carl Pistorius, the South African sprint runner, known as the “Blade Runner” and “the fastest man on no legs”, who ran on steel that replaced legs amputated from birth? Though Oscar did not win a medal in the 4x400 meter race, he won the hearts of people worldwide that have had their legs out from under them by poverty, bigotry, and hard times, but who stayed in life’s race determined to keep on running on whatever God gave them as legs.

We also learned much from the 2012 Olympians who failed to win gold medals in the 2008 or 2004 Olympics, like Allyson Felix from Los Angeles, who finally won a gold medal in the 200 meter race.  African American youth who have dropped out of school and out of life's race can learn many lessons from Allyson about staying in the race despite the poverty, crime, failing schools, gangs, drugs, and low expectations from too many around them.

The most impactful image of the entire Olympics was the many instances of athletes from different nations, many of them engaged in war or conflict with one another.  Yet, these athletes touched the humanity in all of us as they completed their athletic races, and hugged one another in a spirit of mutual respect for worthy opponents. What a lesson for global leaders today, who are too quick to go to war or presidential candidates knee deep in uncivil language and personal attacks that demonize one another.  The 2012 Olympians taught today’s leaders that they can pursue the same goal---whether political office, land, oil, or vital resources, without going to war or destroying one another. 

And what about the women in the Olympics?  For the first time, every nation had a woman athlete in every sport, despite the oppression and discrimination that women continue to experience in far too many nations today.  Their very presence in the Olympics taught us that there is something about the human spirit that just will not be snuffed out even as the battle for human dignity and women’s equality continues.

The distinctions of race, culture, and geography and language were lost throughout the Olympics as we heard story after story of extraordinary family financial sacrifices and personal tragedies overcome.  These athletes taught us much as they dug down deep into the well of human possibility, despite unbelievable odds against them, to even qualify for the Olympics.  We celebrated each Gold Medalist, especially those from our country; understood the disappointment of Silver Medalists who missed being the best by seconds, and identified with the relief of Bronze Medalists, just grateful to be on the medal stand.   We all want to be winners; the best in our field, celebrated for our hard work, but sometimes, it is just good to be in the race.  While sports is very important and being an Olympian is a worthy goal, all of us can “go for the gold” and strive to be the best in the way we treat people from other races and cultures; the poor, and those kicked to the side streets of life by circumstances beyond their control.  We can all “go for the gold”, even if we just get the silver, bronze, or no medal at all, and strive to be the best in all areas of your life, school, or work.  St. Paul reminded us that we are all to press toward the mark of God’s highest and best for each of us.

So today, when life hands you lemons, smile like Gabby Douglas and make sweet lemonade in your life and community.  When others tell you that you are finished, but God has blessed you with life, breath, and talent like the South African "Blade Runner" – Oscar Pistorius – keep on running toward God’s best for your life.  When you don’t get the gold medal, or even the silver and must settle for the bronze, or no medal at all, like many of the athletes who came to London with a dream of winning, don’t complain or bask in jealousy for the person who got the promotion, contract, or won the political office, or achieved better grades in school that you were seeking. Give thanks that you have the health and strength to just be in life’s race at any level---able to make your special contributions to a better world. Because life is like a race, we can all be Olympians and internalize daily the many life lessons from this magnificent global contest.