Beyond the medal count: The true spirit of the Olympics

For those two Olympic Games weeks in July and August, like millions around the world, we in the Singleton household were glued to our TV. ?We cheered for every world record and marvelled at each superhuman feat. But as the games unfolded, I found myself increasingly drawn to the moments that didn't make the highlight reels.

It was the small gestures of sportsmanship, the raw emotions on display, and the unscripted instances of human connection that kept replaying in my mind long after the medal ceremonies ended. These snapshots, often overlooked in the chase for gold, revealed the true heart of the Olympic spirit.

Today, I want to share some of these powerful moments with you. Not just because they're heartwarming (though they certainly are), but because I believe they hold valuable lessons for all of us - athletes or not. They remind us of our shared humanity and the values that truly matter, both in sport and in life.

Let's start with a scene that could have been ripped straight from a feel-good sports movie. During the women's 100-meter preliminary heat, Laotian sprinter Silina Pha showed us what true humanity looks like. When Lucia Moris from South Sudan collapsed mid-race with an injury, Silina - without hesitation - stopped her own race to support the fallen Lucia. In that moment, the race and the potential of a medal didn't matter - what mattered was human kindness.

As if to prove that Silina Pha’s act of kindness wasn’t just random, the very next day brought another heartwarming display of sportsmanship, this time in the handball arena. I don’t think anyone could’ve escaped the goosebumps when Brazil's Tamires Araujo Frossard literally picked up her injured opponent, Angolan captain and goalkeeper Albertina Kassoma, and carried her off the court. When asked about it after the game, Tamires said when she saw that Albertina couldn't get up, she knew she had to help. "There was no way I wouldn’t help her because I knew it would be very difficult for her to leave the court”, she said.? No wonder the crowd acknowledged this moment of fair play with a standing ovation. ?

Of course, the Olympics isn't just about the athletes themselves. It's about the entire ecosystem of people who support them - family, friends, coaches, and teammates.

This hit home for me in a big way just after Tara Davis-Woodhall's gold medal performance in the women's long jump. When she realised she'd won, she sprinted straight into the arms of her husband, Hunter Woodhall, a Paralympian himself. What I saw there, was years of shared dreams, sacrifices, and unwavering support culminate in a single, joyous embrace.

While the moment between Tara and Hunter showcased the joy of shared success, another equally powerful scene reminded me that support is just as crucial in times of disappointment. I actually couldn't hold back tears witnessing the conversation between British diver Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix and her father, celebrity chef Fred Sirieix. After Andrea missed out on a medal in the 10m platform diving, her dad was right there, ready with a comforting hug and words of wisdom: "It’s okay, baby. It's sport. Some days you win, some days you lose."? He reminded her how well she’d done the previous day and said “it wasn’t meant to be today”.

As a parent, this interaction hit me hard. You see, I've been there too, consoling my kids after tough losses or disappointments. It’s hard, man!? But I figured it's not about having all the answers or fixing the problem. Sometimes, it's just about being there, offering a hug, and reminding them that their worth isn't defined by a single performance.

A story that's closer to home had my heart racing as if I were the one competing. It happened on Wednesday night, 31 July at around 10:30 PM. The Kiwi, Hayden Wilde, had been leading for much of the run leg in the triathlon, building a lead of about 15 seconds over Alex Yee of Great Britain. With about 1.5 kilometres left, Yee began closing the gap.

But with just 400 meters to the finish line, Yee overtook Hayden. I was gutted for Hayden.? But, what happened next, is what truly stuck with me. I watched Hayden plonk himself down next to Yee, putting his arm around his opponent's shoulder. In this completely natural gesture, one top athlete was not only recognising another's excellent performance but also acknowledging their shared pain and exhaustion – all in the spirit of true camaraderie.

It made me wonder about life in the corporate world. How often do we truly acknowledge the achievements of others? How often do we recognise the shared struggles and triumphs that bind us together? As I watched Hayden and Alex on that blue carpet, exhausted but united, I couldn't stop myself from subjecting my kids to an impromptu Ted Talk about the life lessons we just witnessed.

Another athlete's journey reminded me of the power of perseverance against all odds. I’m talking about Julien Alfred, who won the 100 meters – a first-ever Olympic gold for the small Caribbean island of Saint Lucia. Julien's journey from running barefoot in her school uniform to becoming an Olympic champion reminded me of the importance of dreaming big and persevering, no matter where you start from. This story of triumph against the odds isn't unique to the Olympics though. ?In fact, it made me think of two incredible athletes closer to home, whose journeys have long inspired me.

Firstly, there’s the Kiwi, Dame Valerie Adams. She faced many challenges, including dyslexia and the loss of her mother at a young age. Yet she went on to become one of the most dominant shot putters in history, winning two Olympic golds and four world championships.

Then from South Africa, there’s the Springbok Makazole Mapimpi's story. For the 2019 Rugby World Cup, the Springboks were invited to provide photos of their families, to be printed inside the number on the back of their jerseys.? Rassie Erasmus, the Springbok coach shared in a documentary how heartbroken he was when Mapimpi only gave photos of himself.? “When I asked why he was ?doing that, he said 'I've got nobody'", Rassie recounted. But you know what? This guy didn't let it stop him. No family, no fancy rugby school, no early scouting - just raw talent and a determination that wouldn't quit.

Isn’t it inspiring to know that greatness can come from any background, fuelled by determination and the courage to dream?

While personal triumphs are moving, there was one moment in Paris that reminded me of sport's power to bridge even the widest divides - the podium selfie taken by the North and South Korean table tennis teams. Here were athletes from nations technically still at war, smiling together and celebrating their shared achievement. If these athletes could find common ground despite their countries' conflicts, surely we can do the same in our everyday lives.

And then there’s my last story.? Probably one of the most memorable moments came when a pool attendant in floral togs unceremoniously strutted onto the scene during the women's 100-meter breaststroke prelims. Without fanfare, he executed a somewhat awkward dive to retrieve US swimmer Emma Weber's sunken cap, instantly becoming an unlikely Olympic hero, now known as Bob the Cap Catcher.? This light-hearted incident captured the world's imagination and showed that even the smallest gesture can make a big impact.

I can go on and on with the most amazing stories, but let’s leave it here for now.? I guess my message today is simply this - the true spirit of the Olympics isn't found in gold medals or world records. It's found in the human connections, the displays of sportsmanship, and the raw emotions that remind us of our shared humanity.

In our everyday lives, whether we're doing volunteer work or running multinational corporations, we could all take a page from the Olympic playbook.

If we approach our work with the same spirit of mutual support, respect for others (including our competitors), the dedication to uplifting those around us, and commitment to our collective success, we could go so much faster, higher, stronger - together.

"Citius, Altius, Fortius – Communiter".