Another four year cycle is over with the conclusion of the Olympic Winter Games. For every single one of those athletes at the games there were at least five other athletes from across Canada that were close enough to have a dream to also be there, represent Canada and become one of the very few who reach this pinnacle of sport.
In reading the recent posts on Trirudy I was interested on the various view points of OTP coupled with the posts by Cliff on the Lifesport Pro Camp – what it takes to be a pro (i.e., elite athlete). There are two points here I want to make. First is that no athlete can make it to the Olympics without fully devoting every waking and sleeping moment to their sport for numerous years. Second is that no athlete can devote every waking and sleeping moment to their sport if they don’t have incredible people behind them also willing to sacrifice their time and/or money.
For me – I have a dream to represent Canada at the 2012 Olympics in London. I was the sixth Canadian at Nationals this past year and am one of the few who have a real shot to make it to the top. I would not have been able to dream and take the plunge to become a full-time athlete this January if it were not for my family, amazing friends, and countless individuals that give me tangible support week-in and week-out (from training, housing, massage, spider-tech tape, to bikes, bike mechanics etc.). To be an elite athlete I saved money by working full-time, reducing it to 15 hours over the course of 4 years and then selling everything that was not related directly to my goal. Now that I am not juggling work and training and am devoting every moment to my sport I believe I will be representing Canada at World Cups this season and will make the necessary steps to compete against the best in the world.
Listening to Olympians interviews each recognized the support that they had behind them to get them where they were. There is an expression that says “It takes a village to raise a child” - the same goes for an elite athlete – it takes a whole community. Own the Podium is important but do not forget for every athlete that made it and received funding from this or the summer equivalent Road to Excellence initiative there are several others that did not get support because they were either in the “wrong sport” (ie not the chosen few) or not quite there… yet (think of Carolyn Murray 2008 Beijing Olympic Team). They figured out a way to believe in themselves, work day-in and day-out on their passion, and simply take care of every detail there is to be the best they can be. This takes living every day without fear, with joy and certainly a lot of faith that it really will all work out.
Whether I make it to the Olympic Games in London or not I can say that I am living everyday with passion and no regrets, that I would not have made it without my incredible community of support and that already I am living my dream. I hope that what I am doing now inspires others and I know that one day I will also be able to give back.
So dream on and keep supporting those around you to be the best they can be. Every, and I mean every, bit counts.
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