The Olympics--What makes a champion?

The Olympics

As some of us watch the olympics this week and next and listen to commentators tell us of the training regimen or eating habits of some of the world's most recognizable athletes, I wanted to put a different spin on things. The gold medalists will get the majority of the headlines from these games, but some of us may forget that all of these participants are winners. There are roughly 5 billion people on our earth, and a large number of those people are paying attention to the olympics with an interest far exceeding a passing fancy. I am not going to get on a soapbox that people should love the olympics for what they represent, or how they are being presented. To me the athletes are there, not for themselves but for their nations. Last night I watched Michael Phelps win another Olympic medal and break a world record. I will not discount his dominance of his events, it's like Tiger and Jordan rolled into one. But to me, one of the most inspirational stories so far is that of the Israeli swimmer who did not originally qualify for the games. He was added to the team at the last minute, and was able to make his way to China. He went, not to compete for a gold medal, but to represent his country:BEIJING, China, August 7. JUST days before the 2008 Olympic Games officially began, Israel's Alon Mandel sustained a personal bombshell. While working around his house in Netanya, Mandel's father Costa died after falling from a ladder. Mandel has since made the decision to compete in Beijing before heading back home to continue the mourning process. http://www.bangkokpost.com/sportsplus/sportsplus.php?id=129415
He swam. He swam for his country and he swam because, as he said, that's what his father would have wanted. In an 8 person heat, he was the eighth to finish the race. But, to me, he cannot be considered last. He finished with the best recorded time for an Israeli swimmer for this event. Many who read this will know the name Michael Phelps as an Olympic Champion and he is. To me, Alon Mandel is a champion. Not for finishing first, but simply for finishing.
My condolences to Mandel and his family.