August 8th 2024.
It's been an incredible journey for Emily Craig and Imogen Grant as they celebrate their gold medal win. But they're not the only ones making headlines at the Olympics - Keely, Mondo, Noah, Tom Pidcock, and the Fox Family have also captured our attention. And let's not forget about Simone, who we all knew two weeks ago but have since welcomed into our lives with open arms. These athletes have become like patronuses, warding off the darkness of Britain's recent riots and reminding us of the pure and vital friendship that comes with standing proudly beneath a flag.
The diversity of sports at the Games is truly remarkable - from the fast-paced kayak cross to the intense 100-meter dash, there's something for everyone to love. And what's even better is that these athletes don't just want to win, they also want to share with us why their sport is so special and what it means to them personally.
Contrary to popular belief, Olympians are not just jocks. In fact, many of them are self-proclaimed nerds who are obsessed with their chosen sport. And now they are being celebrated, if only for a brief moment, for finding something they love to do. Take Simone Biles, for example, who dazzled us once again in Paris. People often wonder how someone discovers they're good at something like pole vaulting, but for Mondo Duplantis, it runs in the family. However, luck, genetics, hard work, and a love for the sport all play a role in an athlete's success. And for these Olympians, the rewards are not weekly or trimmed in gold like in football - the attention will eventually fade.
As a journalist for Eurosport, I've had the privilege of speaking with champions, medallists, and aspiring medallists non-stop since the opening ceremony. And what I've noticed is that these Olympians want to share their passion with the world and inspire others to find their own love for sports. After interviewing British kayak cross silver medallist Joe Clarke, I made a passing comment about how amazing his sport looked and how I couldn't wait to try it when I returned home. Without hesitation, Joe immediately started making plans for me and encouraged me to give it a try. He was proud to introduce others to the sport he loves so much.
But my conversations with these athletes have shown me more than just their passion for their sport. I've also learned valuable lessons that can be applied to all aspects of life. For starters, one person's silver medal may not hold the same meaning to another. When speaking with anyone, it's important to understand their context and try to empathize with their emotions. This is what brings us together and what makes watching the Olympics on TV such a unique and emotional experience.
Another thing I've noticed is that all athletes want to share their success with their loved ones - their family, friends, teachers, and even their dogs. But when things don't go as planned and they fall short of their goals, they tend to be hard on themselves. Just like how Ollie Wynne-Griffith blamed himself for missing out on a gold medal despite leading throughout the race, we all need the support of our loved ones to help us through tough times.
And finally, I've come to realize that most athletes don't fully grasp the magnitude of their achievement in the moment. They may understand it logically, but it doesn't fully register until they have time to process it. So when I speak with them right after their win or defeat, they are pure emotion. Their adrenaline is pumping, and they are still trying to make sense of what just happened.
British gold medallist Emily Craig summed it up perfectly when she and her partner Imogen Grant became Olympic champions after missing out on a medal by a fraction of a second three years ago. She said, "You're talking to two people who are standing here with everything we've ever wanted in our entire lives, and we don't know what to do." It's moments like these that remind us that we all need the help of others to make sense of our achievements, whether we're gold medallists or not.
As the Olympics continue, I'll be with Eurosport, covering all the action. Don't miss out and watch live via the discovery+ app. And remember, the Olympics may be a crazy mix of styles, shapes, and moods, but it's an obsession that we can all share in. And as we witness these incredible athletes achieve their dreams, let's also remember the inspirational note shared by a Team GB gold medal winner from her late father and Simone Biles' hopes of competing in the 2028 LA Olympics after her bittersweet experience in Paris. These are the moments that make the Olympics so much more than just a sporting event.
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