Inspiration of a Greater Kind
by Amanda on February 17, 2010
Earlier in the week, I wrote a post on all the daily things that I find inspiring and I call them daily because they are the things that I can easily access in my life. It is only once in a while that inspiration takes a greater form and can be almost a little overwhelming. This higher place I talk of is the immense heart of the current Vancouver athletes.
Being Australian, I have a deep and long history with that fighting sporting spirit. Even though I am not the sportiest of women, I love the Olympic Games and love seeing the Aussies powering through with that Boxing Kangaroo spirit that we are known for.
However, it really saddens me when are represented by a competitor who prides himself on being everything that is “unAustralian”. Dale Begg Smith is an ex Canadian/now apparent Australian who is not liked in Canada and equally not very well liked in Australia.
On Sunday he won a silver medal in the mens moguls and while the Gold medalist Canadian was over the moon and the Bronze medalist American was beaming from ear to ear, the silver medalist stood stoic and emotionless. There was no Australian flag, no signs of happiness or pride, no smiles and no thank yous to the crowd. He is no Aussie.
When we first lost the Gold medal, I was disheartened and upset. Since then, I have seen the Gold medalist, Alex Bilodeau interviewed many times and he is so humble, so proud and so generous with his praises for other Canadian athletes that it makes me really happy that he won. He is an inspiration to all young kids out there and to us all; Australian, Canadian or any nationality.
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I think athletes are very inspirational too! I think we ordinary people (hihi) have a lot to learn from their determination and hard focus.
It must be incredible to win a gold (or any) medal in the olympics! My heart also aches a little for those who have worked so hard with the medal in sight and then fails when it really matters (this happened to a Norwegian skiier).
Strange but I noticed exactly what you are saying … I watched the medal awards and was surprised at the lack of emotion. The other two guys were so happy. I am not a real sport person either but do enjoy watching some of the ski and snowboard events and really love the speedskating.
I get if an athlete doesn’t want to do interviews or talk to many members of the press, especially right before an event as big as the Olympics. But when I saw the look on Begg Smith’s face when he won that silver… It made me even MORE proud of Alex Bilodeau. For him to win our first gold on Canadian soil was made even more perfect by the fact that he beat the ex-Canadian ;)
I too watched both the race and the medal ceremony. I was over the moon for Bilodeau and was moved by how humble he was in interviews and the happiness that was so evident. I couldn’t help but notice Smith’s face and thought “wow. so sour!” I guess when you are at that level of competition to not win gold can be dissapointing…but silver is nothing to be saddened by. It’s still a mighty huge accomplishment – “I’m the SECOND best in the WORLD!” not shabby at all.
Kay, unfortunately I think he wouldn’t have shown much more emotion even if he’d won gold. But yes, silver is an amazing achievement.