When I was growing up, Olympics and sports were limited to the general knowledge quizzes I was made to participate. Beyond a few questions and the latest news items, I never needed more. Not that it was a girls’ thing but physical activity was never an area of interest in my world. A couple of smashes on the badminton court or stacking the tiles to an even seven was all I could do. When the rebel teenager in me put her foot down, my Mum asked a neighbor to teach me dance and yoga. And that clicked. For two years.
Watching Olympics or a cricket match came much later in life. The interest spiked slowly and it was then I realized what all I had missed. A new world opened up but the acceptance was slow. It took time but a science lover developed a liking for sports. It was like love in those moments of tension, the pressure of the impending goal and then the disappointment in a lost game.
I am still on that trajectory. I still would not leave a book to watch a game but this Olympics brought out a different me. From blocking my calendar to watch a game to being upset when my favorite player lost, this time, I enjoyed all that came along with those moments of action on the idiot box.
There were also a couple of lessons that will stay with me. Some that better be documented for me to read in moments of self-doubt.
Always finish the game: In those 100/200 meters or steeplechase runs, the runners knew that they were not making it to the podium. Still, they ran. They ran to finish the game. Winning or losing is not the end, it is completing what you take up in life. It is following through your commitment and participating to the best of your ability. Before you give up, look back at the efforts and time you have put in. Finishing what you take up will always emerge above quitting.
Celebrate wins: If you win, someone else will lose. That’s how it is and is meant to be. Beyond the person, it is the effort that deserves accolades. This Olympics, I saw rivals come together to hug and congratulate each other. I saw how taking care of each other is equally important to get the ball rolling. The sportsmanship needs to be celebrated and as a team whether from one country or not, players celebrated wins.
Give your best every time: It is possible that you lose when you start but that should not stop you from delivering your best the next time, or the next time or the next time. The only way to be content is to keep giving your best, always. In all situations and tough circumstances without losing hope or face.When success comes, it does not time itself. The last couple of seconds could make all the difference so give your best.
A win means a contribution from many: When a wrestler wins, it may seem that the flip got the points but never forget the effort of the coach who taught the flip. There is a father who dropped this young wrestler to her sports academy for practice. A mother who challenged all stereotypes to support her daughter’s dream. A win is a collaboration and a partnership. While there is one who delivers and takes away the medal, there are many others who make it possible.
Never be scared: A Produnova is the hardest vault performed in women’s artistic gymnastics. But if a player fears it, she will never attempt it. You have to beat the fear to go far. You have to challenge the status quo to shine. She may still fail but that’s not the point. Success comes to those who are persistent and fear limits us to reach our potential.
Set goals: Four years and so many players set goals to grab the shining gold medal. But is that enough? A medal needs grit and determination. Willingness to work hard and give it a hundred percent. Sometimes physical injuries, lack of facilities and support comes in between but for a player, nothing should deter her. It’s not easy but that level of determination is the most important element of success.
The value of a Coach: As I watched Pullela Gopichand support his protegés, I felt proud of being teachers’ daughter. She is one who never loses patience but encourages and support. One who can calm the nerves and still get the best out of her protegé. One whose passion shines on the face of the taught. Throughout the Olympics, many coaches sat holding their breath. They smiled at a hit and did not lose hope on a miss.
Dream: Only those who dream can see a dream come true real. So dream and work towards it.
As I think of many more lessons I have learnt this Olympics, I feel good that these lessons have come at a right point in life. There are no games to be played now but these lessons will be remembered as I cruise through my life. As I balance work, blogging and taking care of my loved ones, these lessons will not let me give up. They will give me the courage to finish the game and value those who were a part of the journey.
Writing for Yeah Write #280 today.
happiness and food 
As always, your posts are simple , and make one see a different perspective. And think.
Well written, and loved reading it, Parul.
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Thanks much, Mayuri.
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Many life lessons here.. and the Olympics is a microcasm of the world.
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Thanks, Lata!
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Fantastic blog. I agree we can all learn from the Olympians.
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Yes, we can. Thank you!
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Those were excellent bits of life-lessons, Parul, and I found myself nodding in agreement throughout. Indeed, everything in life is achieved with passion, determination, and grit. Success is only the tip of the iceberg. What goes behind it are these little humbling lessons. And, when you decide to live life to the fullest, there’s nothing called failure; only lessons learnt.
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True that, Uma. You summed it so well. Thanks for stopping by.
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This is such a wonderful, wonderful post Parul. Yes, sports does teach us a lot of things. And I too have not been into playing sports though I have loved watching and following football, cricket, tennis. This time, though, I followed everything Indian sportswomen and men played. Of course, like you a book is my first love. But yes sports does teach us so many lessons
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The women did us proud. I also was hooked to TV and watched a lot of games. Thanks Naba.
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It is so beautifully written Parul, the feelings, the lessons, the determination and the decisions, and everything that goes with it.. Sportsmanship, I feel is the need of the hour, and something that must be taught and instilled in the kids today.
Keep writing, love reading them all 😊
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True. Thank you! 🙂
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I have never been interested in sports and never watched any game if I can ignore all those cricket matches which I was forced to watch because of the cricket crazy men in the house. I could have even skipped reading this post for it being about sports but thank you for including the word ‘lesson’ in the title 🙂 At the same time I am proud of what the Indian girls achieved in the Olympics. Coming to the post’s lessons, I see all of them highly inspiring in all walks of life including the prominent aspects of our lives, that is to handle relations.
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Ha ha! Thanks for the word lesson else I would have lost a loyal reader on this post. Yes, relationships so much. I agree with you there. Thanks Anamika.
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I am not a sports loving type of person either, so this post speaks to me on that level too 🙂 But I agree there is so much to be learn from sports or from any physical education. It is sad that in most of our schools physical education isn’t given the value it deserves, not just for a few ‘sporty’ type students but for everyone. Good post, Parul!
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Yes, I remember Beloo I used to sit in my games period cos who will play? Now I wonder what all I missed.
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Wonderful and heartfelt, Parul… loved your post! I do agree there was so much to learn from those games…I was honestly inspired to see how much effort each player was putting in and how much it meant for the individuals and the teams to win despite the odds! I always loved watching sports during school and college and it is only now that I find myself juggling tasks and hardly watching anything. This time though, on most days I watched it again after all these years with my sports-crazy twelve-year-old and we both exchanged so many thoughts seeing the way the players fought till the end. The girls did us so proud…I kept telling Arjyo exactly what you said…that the most important thing is to reach the finishing line no matter how tough! Somebody wins somebody loses but the sporting spirit is what really matters.
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You summed it well, Esha. Thank you both for the lovely comment and the share.
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I was so far away from sports. I loved to watch Tennis matches during my school and college days. All my books were covered with ‘The Hindu’ papers posing by my all time die hard love Agassi, Edberg and Steffi. That’s my highest level of admiration for sports. This forced me for a second thought when Mithu wanted to join for Cricket coaching. And I made attempts to stop him by pouring with so many questions. But he was very firm in finishing his game. Now I’m happy that I could also contribute for his love to cricket. Such a profound post, Parul. Thanks for sharing these life lessons.
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So wonderful if you to let him pursue his interest. So much to learn for all of us and not just children.
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This will be the first Olympics I will actually remember. And another first: I watched a badminton and tennis match for the first time!
There are a lot of lessons we ought to learn from the Rio Olympics, and you have enumerated almost all of them! Great job, Parul! 😊
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Thank you Mithila.
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I never watched much sports although I like to. I love to see gymnasts do incredible stuff with their bodies. I absolutely am awed by athletes running as if nothing else mattered. The spectacle of sports is full of energy, enthusiasm and positivity because it is all about giving your 100 percent. Your post is so wonderfully written as it teaches us invaluable lessons, straight from the field.
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Me too. So wonderful these athletes are. Thank you Sunaina.
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Such a heart warming post, Parul. It’s important to accept the differences and the defeat that comes along and then take it in a positive manner. Achieving dreams do not come easy and losing the first time only indicates that one is moving in the right direction.
Loved your lessons from Olympics.:)
Cheers
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True that. Thank you Geetika!
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The Olympics always makes me emotional… Along with the winners I cry too. All their hardwork, persistence and sacrifices being paid off. And I agree it is not just the player but a whole team behind her… Fighting for her. This Olympics was amazing. I loved all your points… How brilliantly you have summedup the learnings and which can be used in all walks of life.
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They make me emotional too. Thank you Raji.
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I so agree with you Parul. Sportsmanship, hard work and a belief that ‘we can do it’, go a long way in helping us make miracles happen. It’s up to us how well we make use of this knowledge.
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So true, Shilpa. Thank you.
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Well-written, Parul. I reckon you speak for all of us when you put the words so well.
For me, along with all of these, the New Zealand runner helping the American one even though she knew she’d finish much behind – that’s the true spirit of these games.
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I loved that one moment. Seeing them crying yet helping each other finish the race was just heart warming and so inspiring. Thanks, Sid.
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This year I watched the olympics with a lot of interest just like you. I loved the points you made. We often forget to appreciate all the various ingredients that go into a win. Good to be reminded of them all.
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Yes, we know most but forget when the time comes. Thank you!
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Nothing says it better than the Olympic motto. This four yearly contest truly is a labour of sweat grit and determination . I sadly don’t like watching this event because to me it seems a bit like a circus…. Of course I follow the goings on but feel bad to watch the athletes pitted against one another . Aren’t they winners all? And how can one be better than the rest? And eventually when the Gold medals themselves are merely made of silver , what really is the difference between first and second place?
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I am and always was obsessed with the Olympics! I remember in India at that time, we only could see the highlights at the end of the day, but our whole family religiously watched those. I’ve been following most of the live updates here (as much as I can given work etc). Perhaps, I love living vicariously through these athletes knowing that I myself can never attain that level of skill!
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I watched very little of the Olympics this year – but the highlights were amazing. It’s true – they do teach you many things beyond a love a sports.
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What a great post, Parul! We should practice these rules every day of our lives. Olympians are extraordinary people, but so are the rest of us. Thanks for sharing this!
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Parul, these are truly the lessons to keep for the rest of our lives. We encounter situations in life, where we sometimes give up, or they bog us down , or we just feel low. Sometimes life gives us a happy tone and we may be elated too.
Both situations require us to be stoic and accept and acknowledge things. I hope I do remember these lessons you have documented. Cause very often , though I try to bear them in mind, emotions take over and my reactions are seldom right!!
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I have never been an athlete, but I have always loved the Olympics, and I wish that the entire world would/could embrace these lessons because they are about so much more than sports.
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These are excellent lessons! This line, especially, resonated with me: “It is following through your commitment and participating to the best of your ability.” This is so much more important that winning or losing, success or failure. Put in your best, and you can sleep the sleep of the contented!
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Beautifully said, Parul! We should all act with these rules in mind!
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Parul, it’s such a thought-provoking post on how Olympics makes strong characters who never abandon and fight till the end. PV Sindhu has been a dream to million of young Indian girls to dream big to make it happen in life. Love the post. I admit that I was never interested in Olympics but some athletes made me sit and watch, fighting against all odds. Your post is an ode to such athletes.
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Those are some truly relevant lessons for life in general. Excellent takeway from the Olympics :).
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