Turn ON the TV…Lessons of the Olympics

Turn OFF the television and spend real time with your children! How many times have I preached this advice to parents?  Today I am doing an about face.   It’s time to turn ON the television … to watch the Olympics.

Parents frequently come to me with complaints about their child…

• who has to be first or best
• who can’t cope with failure
• who doesn’t stick to an interest when he isn’t immediately successful
• who won’t try something new for fear of not being good
• who gives up easily
• who doesn’t give an activity enough effort
• who doesn’t allow himself a learning curve
• who balks at the need to practice
• who is a quitter

The lessons that address these complaints do not come easily. And they certainly don’t come from a parent warning, lecturing or finger wagging.

Right now, right in front of our eyes, these life lessons have been given life and are exemplified in the 2024 Summer Olympics. They are real life and are easy to see.

On a moral and character level, there is so much that the Olympics models in real life for our children:

1. Inclusion.  Just look at the incredible diversity of humans, each with a different skill set. Ethnicity, race, religion certainly are not even considered. They are all equals.
2. Commonality. There is much that these athletes have in common, as they all share the traits that propel athletes forward. (Perseverance, dedication, commitment, drive, goal seeking, sportsmanship, to name a few.)
3. Equality. There are 204 different nations participating in the games, all with equal status, who could compete against one another. Even the 4 countries that sent only ONE athlete—Beliz, Nauru, Somalia, and Liechtenstein—have equal status to France or USA who have so many competitors.
4. Camaraderie and team spirit. Each of the athletes feels connected to the others and cares about her fellow athletes. She shares the ecstasy of their wins and the agony of their losses, providing incredible, mutual support.  They epitomize team.
5. Sportsmanship.  The whole world gets to watch good sportsmanship in action.  You don’t see a whole lot of foot stomping, storming off, crying, and moping by the guy who comes in fourth.

In 2021 I wrote a blog urging parents and their children to watch those 2021 Olympics together. ( https://bit.ly/3SsITrD ) It’s worth the reread. Much of what I said then is absolutely true and applicable today for a new batch of ripe and impressionable children.

The Everyday Lessons of the Olympics s:

1. Only three people actually win medals in the Olympics. All the others do not, even if they cry and pout. Everyone does not get a trophy.
2. Those who are not the winners don’t fall apart, exclaiming they will never compete again. They wear a game face.
3. All of the Olympians are good sports in addition to being good at sports. They have to be.
4. Every single one of the athletes who made it to the Olympics is the best of the best.
5. Every single one of the athletes worked consistently and incredibly hard, knuckled down often for years and years, sweated, cried, was utterly exhausted, and wanted to throw in the towel at some point.
6. Every athlete failed over and over again, and each kept trying. No one gave up. Not only do they have grit, but they have resilience.
7. Each athlete is brave in some way, takes a risk, and puts himself on the line. Doing something really hard is a success by itself.
8. Every athlete experienced set backs for some reason or other, maybe even adversity, an injury or even family issues, but it didn’t stop him.  He got right back on the horse.  The athletes’ back stories offer not only color but help your child see the big picture of real life.
9. To every athlete, his sport was his priority. It was his (and not his parent’s) choice. Every athlete made sacrifices because he was devoted to his sport: He skipped a party, missed the prom,forwent an outing or vacation, chose his sport over something else. That’s just what you have to do.
10. The great majority of Olympic athletes don’t win. But achievement doesn’t necessarily mean winning a medal. Perhaps a worthier goal is completing the process. That could mean getting to the Olympics, or on a smaller level, it could mean trying, learning, practicing, getting better, and finishing the season with a sense of accomplishment.

Be sure to share the Para Olympics with your child.  Watching tremendous athletes who walk with a blade or other differences is more than awe inspiring.  It is inclusion at its finest.

(In case you do not know of my friend and paraathlete, Ezra Frech, who was born with congenital limb differences, let me introduce you to this superstar athlete and human. https://youtu.be/PdS9ppeWtR0 )