Rio Olympics 2016: Lessons We Can Learn from Remarkable Athletes

The 2016 Rio Olympics were one of the most memorable sports events in recent history. For 16 days, the world was united as people from all walks of life gathered to watch their favorite athletes compete for gold medals. The Olympics are more than just a sports competition; they are an opportunity to be reminded of the things that unite us all.

From the Olympic Games, we learn two important lessons. Firstly, people from countries that are enemies can come together in peace and compete with one another on a level playing field. Secondly, there are people with such incredible commitment to their goals, that they will sacrifice whatever they need in order to achieve them. What can we learn from these remarkable athletes? Here are eight lessons:

1. Your Successes Are Not Your Own – Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi knows that his success in soccer did not come solely through his own talents. He had help along the way, and he now believes that it is time to give back by supporting others who aspire to success.

2. Fear is Destructive – Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan did not let his fear of failure hold him back from achieving his dreams. He worked hard every day and overcame obstacles to become one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

3. Talent is a Gift – Eugenie Bouchard
Eugenie Bouchard knew from a young age that she had a gift for tennis. She worked tirelessly to hone her craft and become one of the top-ranked players in the world.

4. Don’t Measure Your Success by Comparing it to Others – Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods had one goal when he started playing golf – to beat Jack Nicklaus’s record of 18 major tournament wins. When he realized that he would not achieve this, he became disheartened and eventually lost his love for the game.

5. Believe in Yourself – Serena Williams
Serena Williams grew up playing tennis on rundown public courts in her hometown of Compton, California. Despite facing discrimination and hostility when she first began playing professionally, she stuck to her guns and was eventually accepted by the tennis world.

6. Reconcile with Those You Have Fought – Lebron James
When Lebron James announced he was leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers to join the Miami Heat, owner Dan Gilbert publicly called James a traitor to Cleveland. Eventually, Gilbert realized that he needed James back on the team and reconciled with him.

7. Address and Resolve Personal Issues – Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali was not just an athlete, but also a philosopher. He taught that it is important to address personal issues like resentments, bad habits, and guilt, in order to move forward in life.

8. Sometimes You Need to Apologize – Gabby Douglas
When Gabby Douglas did not put her hand over her heart during the playing of the National Anthem at the Olympic Games, she faced harsh criticism on social media. Despite not being taught to do so, she apologized and took the high road in order to keep the peace.

In conclusion, athletes are an inspiration to us all. They represent the best of what human beings have to offer – courage, commitment, and sacrifice. We can all learn from their example and strive to achieve our own dreams, no matter how big or small they may be.