The Paris Olympic Games, completed this past Sunday, is now a faded memory of wicked good worldwide athletic events. Fans came out of the woodwork to cheer on their favorite team (nation), yet the athletes became some of the biggest cheerleaders of these games. I liked that—a lot. The TV cameras panned the crowds to highlight the many celebrities cheering on the Americans. Katy Ledecki is one example of an award-winning gold medalist who was all over Paris to cheer on her USA teammates as soon as her events were done at the pool. I also think the USA men's gymnastics was everywhere else, too.
American rapper Snoop Dogg is in the category of Superfan! I know he was paid for his gig, but he did a bang-up job inspiring and rallying the troops no matter the venue he attended. He also chatted up with the athlete's parents and loved ones, which seemed genuine to me.
Back in 1984, I was a fresh college graduate, a fan, and possibly a superfan, of any athletic endeavor. It served me well as I was lucky to travel to the LA Olympics with three others. Enthusiasm was needed to cheer on the USA for Track & Field, Swimming, Diving, and Marathon (first women's marathon with Joan Benoit winning gold - and I was able to high-five her on the course!), plus a few soccer matches at the Rose Bowl, and Equestrian events in Santa Anita Park (we were given tickets to go). It was all very exhilarating and I would love to go back in 2028 to catch some Olympic action once again IRL!
There is an exceptional athlete (and human being) who became my inspiration as a kid, and I was lucky enough to interview him for my blog during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September of 2022 - Dave Wottle. I am a SuperFan of Dave! Dave's kick in the last 200 meters at the 1972 Munich Games catapulted him to win the GOLD medal in the 800-meter run (the same even I ran in high school). I even followed Dave to Bowling Green State University eight years later. I've watched his gold medal race a bunch of times, which has always inspired me that anything is possible when you put your mind to it. Dig deep, just like Dave, and come out on top when the stars align (and even if they don't).
Never Give UP!
Photo credit: 1) Bill Tomoff
(2 minutes 32 seconds to watch).
bSoleille!
Terri
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