Watching recent social media comments and completing my High Performance Coach Anti-Doping Education prior to Paris have compelled me to encourage compassion and empathy for all who endeavor a games experience. That can be participating, watching at home, posting on social media, and/or actively supporting a favorite athlete or team.

With great anticipation and excitement, many eagerly await the 2024 Olympic Games Opening ceremonies. After all, the Olympics / Paralympics are the pinnacle event within sport. Participation represents a lifetime of dedication, focus, sacrifice, and deliberate intention surrounding a passion.  The journey is tough; sometimes unforgiving, exhilarating, rewarding, challenging, heartbreaking, defining, and uplifting to unbelievable highs – all at once.

The games are a gamble and the stakes are enormous. Athletes, coaches, and staff go “all-in” to
1- gain access/ participation through rigorous qualification and
2- participate with the very best in the world. All involved become incredibly vulnerable knowing that less than 1% actually get to realize THE dream.

The long list of challenges to overcome… 

The pressure to consistently perform at unprecedented levels can suffocate even the most brave and stoic character.

The human (and/or equine) body is not a machine.  It is high maintenance and can’t handle infinite intensity.  The struggle is very real to balance performance and health.

The social contracts are fluid and subject to momentary interpretation. Perhaps this is the most unforgiving part of sport. Opinions are infinite and often fundamentally based on the receivers experience and background. Far too often, grace isn’t extended to the subject/person/moment of the discussion – good or bad.

The complicated world of emotion can be daunting. It is the joy of success that drives all involved with sport. Admittedly, there is nothing like the top of the podium.  The euphoria of winning is a drug that creates unsettled desire between “wins”. Athletes live for the feeling of achievement and success which can cause extreme emotional highs and lows. In the world of sport, all can seem magnified and no one is harder on a person than the view in the mirror.

Financial strain is the almighty burden every single individual faces. Many spend their final penny, without question, to pursue their olympic dream. They will literally put everything on the line.

Failure.  This is so tough.  I grew up with the saying, “Second place is the first loser”.  That is exactly how many feel that really put their heart and soul into being at the games and are staying at home. Many do absolutely everything right in preparation, training, and its still isn’t enough. They will replay moments in time over and over… with the same result. Examples: Athing Mu, a stellar 800m track runner whose fall at trials cost her greatly. Or Ingrid Klimpke who pulled out because her horse isn’t well. Or so.many.more. I absolutely applaud these athletes as much as the podium finishers.  Their spirit for sport shines bright.

Clean sport is so much more than just anti-doping. It is the spirit of the sport; supporting those who endeavor the challenges, uplifting those who have stumbled underneath the gravity and complexity of success, and encouraging a new generation that embraces the journey.  Every single person who interacts with sport is responsible for their intention, for the legacy they leave behind.

Please be kind. On the side lines, we have no idea totality of any situation.
Words can have a shelf life.