I have been surprised at how very much I have enjoyed the Olympics! I am not a big sports' fan and do not tend to watch much sport on TV (unlike the other members of my family!) but since the wonder of the opening ceremony I have found myself more often than not glued to the coverage or scouring the papers for the results of events that I missed.
What has impressed me most is the humanity of the games. Competitors pushing themselves physically, emotionally and mentally to achieve their best. Yet while only the competitor can compete there are coaches, supporters, family and friends behind the scenes who have been there throughout and who are living each moment of the competition as if they themselves were competing.
Success or failure results in competitors weeping in the arms of those who love and support them. During interviews most paid tribute to family, friends, coaches and supporters. It was touching how many athletes in the closing ceremony were trying to convey messages of thanks and love to their families and noticeably their mothers!
Mo Farah spoke of the loneliness of training and the weeks spent away from his family. How strange that this lonely preparation plays out on a global stage and now the medalists have become household names, people we feel we have a connection with and who are know to us.
This caused me to reflect how this mirrors life. How so often our greatest struggles have to been faced alone and only we can undertake the necessary prepare but there are those who are there for us as coaches, friends and family. Those willing us on, cheering from the sidelines, checking the stop watch, holding a towel or bottle of chilled water. Success in life is knowing what you need to do alone and what others can help you with. It is also about knowing when it is your turn to be the competitor or when you need to offer support or be a "running partner". Life is a balance of going it alone while at the same time being part of a team.
