- The 2020 Olympics has shown it was not just about winning.
- Some inspiring stories have taught us great values, such as sportsmanship and humility.
- Here are five inspiring moments you don’t wanna miss.
The Summer Olympics is more than just winning the gold medal.
If there are lessons we can take from the recent Olympic Games, these inspiring stories would be the perfect coach to teach us about sportsmanship, humanity, camaraderie, and humility.
1. Real winners aren’t always the first one to cross the finish line.
Maybe runner Isaiah Jewett of Team USA was thinking that he could have gotten a good shot to win the men’s 800m if not for the Botswana runner who slipped in front of him. But this was not the case. Instead, he offered to help his competitor and decided to complete the race with him.
Isaiah said that South African Nijel Amos apologized to him, and he responded with “Let’s just finish the race together.”
After having their races cut short, Isaiah Jewett and Nijel Amos showed the ultimate sportsmanship. #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/71lwSbY0x5
— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) August 1, 2021
2. A good player recognizes team effort, but a great player shows the world how it works.
After winning gold, Caeleb Dressel tossed it to Brooks Curry, his teammate who swam for him in the preliminaries. And in that snap, they shared the spotlight.
Although Brooks would later receive a medal of his own, only the finalists got to stand on the podium — and Caeleb didn’t think twice to share that winning moment with Brooks.
Class. 🥇
Caeleb Dressel gave his gold medal to Brooks Curry, who swam for Dressel in the prelims. Dressel replaced Curry for the final. #TokyoOlympics x @USASwimming pic.twitter.com/u9wcbU8kHH
— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) July 26, 2021
3. True sportsmanship is learning to share the prize.
There might be slim chances of having two winners, but these athletes in the men’s high jump didn’t mind to share the gold.
Gianmarco Tamberi from Italy and Mutaz Barshim from Qatar had perfect scores, as both cleared jumps of 2.37 meters.
Instead of insisting a jump-off, the two asked officials if they could share the gold — which was given the green light.
Gianmarco and Mutaz, longtime friends since their similar tie in 2010, have since become even closer.
When Mutaz Essa Barshim and Gianmarco Tamberi finished the men's high jump competition tied, they could have gone to a jump-off to decide the winner.
Instead, they decided to share the gold, and their reaction is what we love about sports. #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/ALTyeysC8t
— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) August 1, 2021
4. Success is sweeter if you’re not the only winner.
Abe Uta and her brother Hifumi made a history by winning Olympic gold on the same day.
Abe, 21, took the top prize in the women’s judo finals, while Hifumi threw down for the gold in the men’s division.
“This was a dream for us,” Uta told the media, “It makes me believe dream comes true as long as I try to achieve it.”
Peak family goals! Japanese siblings, Hifumi Abe & Uta Abe, made #Olympic history this past weekend after they both brought home the gold on the same day! #Tokyo2020 🇯🇵https://t.co/To9y3ztgdW
— Japan Consulate NY 総領事館 (@JapanCons_NY) July 26, 2021
5. No championship is impossible with a determined mind.
She may be considered an underdog, but Anna Kiesenhofer, 30, with a PhD in Mathematics, has won cycling gold for Austria. She crossed the finish line ahead of the defending champion and even the world titleholder.
Anna didn’t have a coach or any endorsement support. “Many cyclists…have a trainer, they have a nutritionist, they have the guy that plans the race for them. I just do all these jobs myself,” she said.
Her secret weapon? Her ‘beautiful mind’ she’s cultivated in her chosen field.
Austria's Anna Kiesenhofer 🇦🇹 stunned the world with her incredible victory in the Women's Road Race Final 🚴🏻♀️🥇 #OlympicMoments
Presented by @VisaCA pic.twitter.com/mwVZRsNugl
— CBC Olympics (@CBCOlympics) July 25, 2021