On the TunneySide of Sports August 16, 2021 #861 Up next… Start The Impossible
After further review… With the XXXII Olympiad now in the books, we hope your favorite competitor performed at their best and won the medal deserved! The belief here is that these Olympiads are for individual competition – not country vs. country. The media has forced us to pit country against country. When the Olympics started in 1896, the competition – all men – was individual vs. individual, not country vs. country. In 1900 the Olympics added, and rightly so, women’s competition, for gender equality. Various events have changed as time passed.
However, if you want to reach a higher level of excitement and motivation, be sure to tune in or record the Paralympics scheduled at these same Olympic venues from Aug. 24–Sept. 5. The courage, stamina, and never-give-up attitude of these Paralympic athletes is enthralling. While the Special Olympics are different than the Paralympics, you will see that they are more similar than different.
I first became a fan of special athletes some 40 years ago. It was late 1970 when Teresa Brown called. She was in charge of finding celebrities to present medals and have their pictures taken with special athletes who were competing in the California State Special Olympics Summer Games at the UCLA track as well as Pauley Pavilion. They were all-day events for several days. Arriving at UCLA early Monday morning, I was excited to find the field full of young special athletes with their sponsors. Moreover, the chairman of the California Special Olympics was Rafer Johnson, a UCLA alumnus, and 1960 Gold Medal Olympic Decathlon winner. Rafer was present at every event.
The camaraderie of these special athletes as competitors is something every athlete should possess. Here’s an example: two male competitors in the high jump – both in their late 20s. On the final jump, the first competitor knocked the bar off. His opponent rushed to his side and gave him a hug saying: “That’s OK, you’ve got one more jump coming, you can do it!”
In the 1984 Special Olympic games, the 100-yard dash had three place winners on the victory stand. As the judge was awarding the ribbons, I was standing not far away when I heard each one say, “Thanks.” I turned to the sponsor of the winner who had tears in her eyes and complimented her on his victory. She said, “Yes, he’s 24, but that’s the first word he’s ever spoken!”
Will you maintain a never-give-up attitude in whatever you do?
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Jim’s books include many messages about rules and regulations (remember he was a referee). His bobblehead on your desk or shelf will be a treasure in your office or home. A special July 4th offer (I know it’s over) Bobblehead for $30. (tax and shipping included) and one book of your choice.
To contact Jim, go to www.jimtunney.com or email jim@jimtunney.com.
