I’ll admit, I’m a sucker for the Olympics.
Every time the Summer and Winter Games come around, I look forward to watching competitions involving the world’s best. And not just the United States’ athletes – I was happy for Bermuda this year, receiving its first Olympic triathlon medal, courtesy of Flora Duffy. Australia’s Ariarne Titmus’ rivalry and success against the United States’ Katie Ledecky in the just-completed Tokyo Olympics makes me excited for their next 400m swim against each other.
Every few years, a spotlight is shone on these remarkable men and women. What’s more interesting, though, is the work these individuals put in behind the scenes – days, months and years ahead of the torch, with no Mike Tirico commentary or John Williams fanfare in sight.
When COVID-19 shut down pools across the country last year, Ledecky found herself competing in a backyard 25-yard pool, six days a week for three months, to maintain her competitive edge. Her ability to adapt brought her home two gold and two silver medals this year; she now has 10 medals total in three Olympics and plans on coming back in 2024.
When Simone Biles, the greatest gymnast in the world, unexpectedly withdrew from the Olympics at the beginning due to mental health concerns, she quietly regained her mojo in a private gym in a suburb of Tokyo, away from the lights and praise. A week later, she took home bronze on the balance beam.
These best of the best prove that preparation through any circumstance can lead to success.
Whenever I’m planning a big house project or road trip, I think back on my days as a resident assistant in college, managing student housing life and events, and the wise words of Vernon, the boss of my campus building.
Every weekly meeting he led would start with, “Failing to plan is planning to fail.”
These words have stuck with me, as well as, “If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready,” and the Boy Scout motto, “Be Prepared.”
Suffice to say, I need a lot of help, and these gems help me (sometimes) keep on track.
It helps to never be too proud, that you’ve got it figured out. It also helps to know that you have a perfect teammate by your side.
Before David was King of Israel, he was a shepherd boy, defending his father’s sheep from lions and bears. When he stepped up to face Goliath, he was ready to slay the giant. He even said so to King Saul, when he decided to stop the invading Philistine:
“Your servant used to tend his father’s sheep … The same Lord who delivered me from the claws of the lion and the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine” (1 Samuel 17: 34-37).
It wasn’t just his preparation that gave him confidence, though; it was his faith in the Lord – the best item we can have in our arsenal on the battlefield.
Katie Ledecky has consistently noted the strength her Catholic faith and the Mother Mary give her, not only in the water but through the rest of her life. Simone Biles carries a Rosary in her Olympic bag – needed as much as her water bottle and headphones.
These victors all recognize the ultimate prize, the “crown of righteousness,” as Saint Paul called it, that is in store for them after a life of preparation, holiness and whatever battles may come.
“I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on, the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
Peter G. Sánchez is the staff writer for the Catholic Star Herald and cohost of the “Talking Saints” podcast.
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