I’ve written about my kids and their competitive spirit before. I’ve written how I love participation trophies and want to teach value in showing up and finishing a sport – not just winning. Sports are about trying hard, loving a game and (often) being a great teammate. And in one particular competition where most of our attention is on the medals – it’s always wonderful to see some truly beautiful acts of sports-person-ship and participation as a world-class athlete.
Here are seven to share with your kids. What would you add?
1. Let’s Finish This: Abbey D’Agostino and Nikki Hamblin Urging Each Other to Continue the Race
I love this moment. I saw it happen and I remember thinking.. I can’t believe this is happening in the Olympics! Both sacrificed any chance they had at winning – to help each other finish. D’Agostino trips over Hamblin and then stays with Hamblin to make sure she gets up to keep running – and then Hamblin hobbles with D’Agostino to make sure she’s okay. The competitive spirit was gone, and the human spirit remained. It’s a true lesson that in the end, we need to take care of each other.
2) I Didn’t Do This Alone: Simone Biles Pulling Aly Raisman on the Podium
They’re teammates and they’re competitors, but the teammate camaraderie triumphed when after the floor exercise Biles won the gold medal (almost getting a perfect score) and her team captain clinched the silver. They hugged. Raisman looked so proud of the new American Sweetheart, and when Biles was put on a podium to wave to the crowd – she pulled Raisman, the 2012 reigning champ up with her. It was almost like she was saying, we got here together – and we’re stronger together.
3) It’s Not Just About Medals: Ajee Wilson Waiting to Congratulate Last-Place Finisher
American runner Ajee Wilson won second place in the women’s 800 meters, but instead of walking off the track, she waited to congratulate the last-place runner who wasn’t there to win, but to finish. Showing the world that there’s grace in being a winner – and pride in being a finisher.
4) May the Best Team Win: Women’s Volleyball High 5’s
Is anyone else catching the high fives the women’s volleyball teams are giving each other as they switch sides? I’m noticing it with the American women and their opponents and it just shows that this is a game, and we are professional, so good luck to both of us.
5) Making Sure You’re Okay: Galen Rupp checking on Mo Farah After He Tripped Him
Whoops! So after Rupp trips the first-place hopeful, Farah– he goes back to make sure he’s okay. Farah still finished first, while Rupp finished fifth. Perhaps Rupp felt there’s no glory in winning by (accidentally) tripping the favorite.
6) This is Fun: Usain Bolt and Andre DeGrasse Finish Line Smile
I loved seeing these fierce competitors in the 200m semi-final. Canadian rising star, Andre DeGrasse was on the heels of favorite Usain Bolt, and as they both crossed the finish line, Bolt barely ahead of DeGrasse, they gave each other the best smile. It was like Bolt was saying “You almost got me – you’re pretty awesome” and DeGrasse was saying “You know it.” And both seemingly had a great deal of respect for the sport – and each other.
7) The Best Athletes Only Make Us Stronger: Ledecky-Sjostrom Finals
Katie Ledecky has been a masterful artist in Rio’s Olympic pool and her sportswomanship has only made her more loveable. Matched against Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom, Ledecky said that if she was going for the gold, she wanted to swim against the best. She won – but not by much. And after catching her breath and soaking in the moment, she swam over to Sjostrom to give her a hug.
These examples all teach kids — and ourselves — that it’s not about the medals, it’s about the spirit.
