Olympic lessons for achieving excellence

THE EDITOR: There is a lot being said and written nowadays on politics, our level of crime, and our natural gas. But notwithstanding these matters, for our country to achieve sustainable growth and development it needs leaders/role models/educators who habitually exude “excellence.” Therefore, I would like to focus instead on our constant need for “excellence” and what we, as Trinidadians/Tobagonians and as a nation, can take some lessons from.

The great philosopher Aristotle once described “excellence” not as an act but as a process – the continuous habit of doing something of value. Fortunately, at this particular moment in time, in the Paris Olympics (and historically from these ancient games) there are many lessons in “greatness” to be learnt.

Typically, the Olympic competitors all showcase an image of discipline, endurance and a passion for the sport of their choosing. Equally important, for the audience, there is a demonstration of unwavering love and support for their countrymen.

Take the swimming segment of the gargantuan games as testimony. These athletes bring their efforts of national triumphs and heroism to determine their supremacy.

This year American swimmer Katie Ledecky, for instance, the most decorated US female athlete in history, cupped the gold medal in the 1500m freestyle event with a new Olympic record. The intensity of her training methods is unparalleled – doing 60 to 70 50-metre sprints most days in the pool against other rigorous requirements.

Or the phenomenal Frenchman Léon Marchand who snatched three gold medals over four days. He stunned the crowd in the 200m butterfly event by pacing behind the world and Olympics record holder Milák of Hungary and then, on the final lap, blazed to gold glory in a time of 1:51:21, a new Olympic record. He was equally amazing in the 200m breaststroke and 400m individual medley events.

What about the 17-year-old Canadian swimmer Summer McIntosh in the 200m butterfly finals? For her second gold medal she prevailed over China’s Yufei after 50m and then feverishly battled off the American Regan Smith in the final two legs to claim the win.

In another event, the extraordinary gymnast Simone Biles, who began her quest at the age of six years and is considered the most decorated gymnast in history, gave an earth-moving performance in Paris on August 1 to grab the gold medal.

The great majority of these Olympic athletes (and for which the swimmers and gymnasts are only a small part) are not driven by financial gain and material glory, but by the burning desire for the highest achievement, autonomy and connectedness possible. Consistency also, at these monumental levels, leaves indelible impressions for other sportsmen, people in all walks of life and consequently the world at large to take pattern from.

Let us learn from these sensational athletes. Let us stop focusing on the negatives plaguing our great nation and come together in unison. Let us strive for excellence in everything we do – with high discipline, patriotism and unparalleled determination to succeed – so that once again TT can achieve the glory of gold.

YASEEN AHMED

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