Olympic Quality

Let’s strive for Gold. The Opening Ceremony of the Olympics is tomorrow night, and I have been reflective about the pursuit of greatness. 

Some made it to Paris. Some didn’t.

In this past week, I have both cheered and consoled our Olympic Quality friends. 

Long before my friends became official Olympic Athletes, I called them Olympic Quality. The phrase would remind them of their childhood dreams and a simpler time.

Watching the Olympics as kids gave us dreams and the desire to be great. The stories of representing your country and striving for Gold fueled our passions. We all need people to emulate. 

I don’t want kids or my Olympic Quality friends to know how much the odds are stacked against them. I don’t want them to know that experts say only 1 in a half a million people will make it to the Olympics in their lifetime. In a world of 8 billion people, only 10,500 will achieve the title of Olympic Athlete in 2024. 

I don’t want anyone to think greatness is unachievable. 

If the tremendous odds work to fuel your growth, so be it. Just be sure the odds are never a reason to quit. 

Four years ago, an Olympic Quality friend missed the cut to go to Tokyo by one spot. Another friend missed it by two spots. Tomorrow, one will be representing their country in Paris. The other will be watching from home. Both are Olympic Quality. 

We might not have all our childhood dreams come true, but that should never stop anyone. The qualities and quality of our childhood dreams can be the inspiration we need to keep moving forward – no matter what happens in life.

Striving for Gold is always better than not striving at all. 

Let’s strive for Gold together. Let’s pursue all our endeavors with the optimism of childhood dreams. 

Let’s dream big and play bigger.