Obsessed with the Olympics
I was asked if I liked watching the Olympics strictly for the competitiveness of it and actually, I have to say that might be the least of my reasons – I’m obsessed with the Olympics. If it were socially acceptable and my kids (and husband for that matter) were self sufficient, I would lock myself away in front of several large screen tv’s and immerse myself in superior athleticism and mental acuity.
For me, it’s not even so much about the winners but the pure sport of each event; the appreciation and awe of these amazing human beings and most of all, the human spirit at its absolute best.
What does it take to become an Olympian? Most start training 4 years before the next Olympics. It’s a well thought out, precise and periodized plan that aims to build the individual’s athletic abilities with the goal to have them be at their absolute peak performance right at the time of the games. Being an Olympian is a full time career. It takes many sacrifices – no junkfood, no late nights with friends and strict regimented practices. Some even move away from friends or family in order to train at better facilities or with specific coaches. And finally, the road is paved with numerous competitions and events leading up to the Olympics.
Most Olympians will train 5-7 days a week, 3- 9 hours a day depending on where in their training they are. Training will include cardio, stretching, weight training, core work, balance, plyometric drills, speed and/or power training and of course sport- specific skills. As Team USA Olympic Decathlete Bryan Clay says “…it all just comes down to putting in the time and doing the hard work”. But wait there’s more, Olympians also need much more rest than us average folk in order to completely recover from the physical demands. Their diet (what, when and how much food) is a science of its own. Finally, there’s the mental training – some would say THE most important aspect of training. These Olympians perform under the pressures of different country; time zone; food; people; language; media, media, media and then their competitors. Techniques, such as visualization and strategy are other aspects employed by Olympians and other athletes alike. Now, add to all this, a part or full time job (training is expensive) and possibly a spouse and kids to the mix. I’m already impressed before I even see these athletes perform.
Understanding the tremendous amount of physical and mental training involved to get to this elite level gives one a greater appreciation for these Olympians. All of this is what fascinates me about watching these remarkable people breaking the boundaries of human potential and testing the strength of the human spirit. Here are just a few Olympians that have caught my attention so far:
Poland’s Natalia Partyka – Table Tennis; South Africa’s Oscar Pistorius – 400 m relay; USA’s Holley Mangold – Weight lifting; Japan’s Hiroshi Hoketsu – Dressage; Niger’s Hamadou Djibo Issaka – Men’s single scull.
