08/26/08 True Olympic Spirit

She is not the fastest, flashiest or most popular, but she definitely is what the true nature of the Olympics is all about, dignity and endurance. The young competitor from Somalia who came in dead last in the 200 meter dash on August 19th actually came in first in the hearts and minds of many of the spectators that day. She came to the Olympics knowing full well that she and her fellow countryman where facing extreme odds of ever winning a medal of any kind to take back home with them. And yet, she came. While athletes from the U.S. and many other countries train in the best of conditions, the athletes from Somalia have to train in the worst conditions and even under threat for their own personal safety and welfare. And yet they train. The 2008 Olympics have brought displays of excitement and glory, tragedy, disappointment and sheer self centeredness. But it has also brought us a brief 32 second example of what all Olympic athletes and their trainers should aspire to; the dignity and pride in having the chance to compete at all and expecting nothing more.