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| Athletes from the United States of America march into the Olympic Stadium during opening ceremonies for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, on Sept. 15, 2000. Fifteen U.S. military athletes are competing in the 2000 Olympic games as members of the U.S. Olympic team. In addition to the 15 competing athletes there are eight alternates and five coaches representing each of the four services in various venues. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
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| 9th Special Olympics World Winter Games (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
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| The crowd at the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games Opening Ceremonies in Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
The years of practice for those few minutes of glory must be intoxicating to the self esteem.Those smiling/winning faces are so full of pride to have accomplished the tasks put before them.
The pain of training until they just collapse from trying.Yet still getting up and giving it another try.
It's the "no pain,no gain"scenario all over everyday till they are at those critical moments where it's win or lose.Then there is the Olympians that few people hear about.They remain hidden all their lives even after the Olympic games are long over.You will never see them doing big sponsored adds for fruit juices health products or modeling underwear on the TV screen.There's never a movie offer to play a super heroe,even after they have proven to those in doubt that they are...Super.
They go through the rest of their lives as little more than shadows.Living in the quiet communities and large cities as model citizens.They rarely go out robbing,killing and being anything but model citizens.They often fall in love and live a "normal"life.This is a true and unsung hero.These folks are subject to the same success and failure as any living thing.Some days are diamonds and other days are coal.It's called life and its hard.no ones ever made it out alive.They are no exception in that regard.
These athletes do stand out in a crowd sometimes, like all athletes they are distinct from the rest of us.
They rarely brag about their fantastic moment in time.Most people wouldnt believe them or just wouldn't
have time to listen politely.It's a world of appointments these days.
These athletes had to train just as those on TV.In some cases they trained much harder.The media crews sorta missed the dates to show these great Olympians.They were born with many various handicaps.
By the social standards,they don't rate the media showing.They are looked on as problems for our genetically perfect society.(Where have I heard that theory before...Let me think...Germany,Bosnia,Middle East).I digress
These special Olympians are the folks that compete in the "Special Olympics".The athletes that give their all,Just like the athletes on the media extravaganza for those"normal" super competitors.It's their time to shine a little above they rest.15 Minutes of fame and glory.Most are never seen again after it ends.Why?
The people in this world of ours are all great in their own way.Think how hard the Olympic stars you watch now on the tv have worked,Then imagine those people made uniquely different physically and/or mentally.
Then imagine yourself as one of those "special folks" that are training to compete in a "normal" persons world with different body coordination and different mental functions.It Is the Norm for them as The ones on tv are the norms for themselves.Normal is a state of mind and not a reality.It is another wall to knock down in the free world of those of us seeking to join the worlds Tribe Of People.Break down the walls and live free.
Life is good if you live it without the fears you carry inside.Breakdown another wall today.
Till next time my friends Keep the hope alive(MLK)
RJP
Post script:President Obama recently met with several hundred Olympic and Paralympic Champions
at the White House In WashingtonD.C.He took time to honor those Champions of great strength and
fortitude for their performance at the Olympic Games.They represented the strongest and best in their
particular events...
The United States should truly be proud to have these wonderful atheletes that worked so hard to represent us all.There is a person or two that remembered ALL the Olympic atheletes....
Thank you Mr. President.
RJP
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