I love watching the Olympics.  Because Tom and I are at home right now, I have them on the television most of the day.  As I have been watching, I have really been struck by the courage, sacrifice, and perseverance of the Olympic athletes.

I think NBC is doing a great job with coverage, especially during the daytime.  Mostly they have been showing a variety of events without a lot of hype.  I appreciate the way the network has been sharing some of the personal stories of the athletes.  Watching them compete while knowing the backstory makes the event more meaningful.  Here are several people that have inspired me.

Lindsey Vonn.  Lindsey is an athlete who has trained, competed, and been injured repeatedly.  She retired in 2019 because of her multiple injuries, but started competing again last year.  Not only has she been competing at a top level since then, but she is proving that people who are older can win.  At least she can.

I know Vonn caught an arm in her first Olympic event and shattered her tibia.  I think this will probably be the end of her competitive career, but what an inspiration.  And she is not alone.  Many of the skiers have broken bones competing in their sports.  When I watch them at the top of the steep courses I wonder how they have the courage to do it.  To push out of the gate, knowing that a shaky edge could mean another broken bone.  I don’t think I could.

Maxim Naumov.  I loved watching Maxim compete in figure skating.  His parents were his coaches all his life, and last year they were both killed in an airplane crash.  Not only did Naumov continue to skate, but he also took over the ice skating that his parents founded.

In an interview with Time magazine, Naumov said, “The only way out is through. There’s no other way. There are no options but to keep going. I don’t have the strength or the passion or the drive, or the dedication of one person anymore. It’s three people… I would not be the person I am today without them. Their love — and their care, and attention to detail was evident in each stage of my life.’

All of the athletes from Ukraine.  The skeleton slider Vladyslav Heraskevych who wears a helmet with pictures of teammates that have been killed in the war against Russia.  The IOC told him he could not wear it, but he is wearing it anyway.  Kyrylo Marsak, a figure skater, who trains in Finland because he cannot train in Ukraine with the war.  None of these athletes have been able to train in Ukraine.  All of them have lost people they loved to the war.  

Stevenson Savart.  Savart is a cross-country skier who was born in Haiti.  He was adopted by French parents when he was young and learned to ski while living in France.  Savart is the first cross-country skier to represent Haiti in the Olympics.  He finished 64th in his race, but he is still an inspiration to me.   Steven Bradbury, who won the first winter gold medal for Australia in 2002 said, “If you want to finish first, you have to finish.”  So true.

I really enjoy watching the athletic competition, but even more, I like to know the stories behind the competitors.  The stories of courage, sacrifice, and perseverance are an inspiration to me.