Cost of a medal

152 followers

8 years ago

I work with athletes as a Strength and Conditioning Coach. There are a few guys now competing in the Rio 2016 Olympics and it has been an honor training them. I wish to tell even just a fraction of their story that most people do not see.

To get to the Olympics is not that easy. It requires a lot of sacrifice, time, effort, money, persistence, and luck for those who believe in it. Winning is another thing, it requires even more.

We usually see the winner's smiling faces, the glamour, the prestige, the rewards, the accolades. What most people do not realize is that those standing in the podium do not live comfortable lives that most of us do. I remember there was a time I had a quick chat with the mother of one athlete in our team. She was patiently waiting for her daughter so they can have breakfast together in the since we will be leaving for an overseas training camp. Her daughter has just arrived the night before from a training-competition in Europe and had no chance to talk to her since her daughter resides in the athlete's hostel. So her mom has to go there and patiently wait just so they can chat for a few precious minutes before her daughter goes away again for the nth time.

I also talk with the athlete's Sports coach about other stuff while we prepare the day's training or after. He also has to be away from his newborn child for months at a time just so he can provide the best possible training experience for the athletes. I find myself luckier since I am mostly in the Strength and Conditioning Facility and I rarely go away and if I do it is for a few weeks.

So if you see someone winning an Olympic medal, think of all the sacrifices of the athlete, his or her family, and team. It is a big teamwork that requires years of planning. A very big investment for a lifetime of glory.