OLYMPICS 101: SHOW UP!

Suresh U. Kumar, PhD

"just showing up is always the essential first step to winning"

Ever since I can remember, the Summer Olympics never failed to evoke a sense of awe. Growing up in India in the 70's and 80's when only a few households had a TV, along with my brothers, I had to go over to my neighbor's home to watch the Olympics. Unlike the protected lives kids have today, like most children of my age, I had the freedom to manage my time any way I wanted as long as did my daily chores. One my first memories was watching American sprinter Carl Lewis win the mens 100m and 200m Gold. Watching athletes compete at the highest levels of human endeavor powered my personal journey as a college athlete. Sports - in particular soccer- gave me a sense of purpose in life and exposed me to leadership opportunities in the playing fields that has stood me good stead in real life.

The 2024 Paris Olympics has lived up to the grand tradition. After seeing the strange sight of empty seats at Tokyo, it was exhilarating to see the stadiums packed to capacity. While I cheered for American athletes, I was equally happy to see athletes from small nations get a place on the podium, some for the first time ever. It was delightful to watch how an unexpected bronze medal brought greater joy than an expected gold. The unpredictability of the final outcome is what makes Olympics so special.

However, as a dad and professor, I am a little disappointed that young people, my 13 year old and a majority of my students included, are just not as engaged with the Olympics as older generations were. I wonder if it is the effect of the overemphasis on academics, or the narrow focus on a single sport, or the 'easy dopamine' effect overdose of information and chatter on social media, or just the busy yet often lonelier lives that we lead these days.

Whatever be the case, I hope you had (or will soon get) the chance to watch the highlights of the Olympics with your friends, family, and children. If you did you would have given them a priceless gift- the opportunity to pause their lives and witness and appreciate the dedication and discipline that each individual athlete has to put in just to get to participate in this amazing spectacle.

My prayer is that by watching the games, our children will, over time gain deeper insight into the true meaning and the spirit of the games. It goes something like this. Life is not only about winning medals- it's about showing up on day one when no one is watching- at a school gym or a local playground or field or anywhere you can practice, when no one is watching. It's about showing up again and again- even when you don't feel up to it- and doing the best you possibly can till you get good at whatever it is you are doing. It's about continue to show up till people around you are firce and take notice. This is the stuff that Olympic champions are made off. So is every person who has beaten the odds.

Watching the Olympics has taught me an important life lesson- showing up is always the essential first step to winning.