Inspirational Olympic Stories

The Jamaican Bobsled Team, Calgary, 1988

This is Jamaica. As you can tell, Jamaica and snow don’t go together!

How could Jamaica, a country of year-round sunshine and beaches, possibly compete with snowbound places like Switzerland and Norway in a sport like bobsledding?

How could Jamaica, a country of year-round sunshine and beaches, possibly compete with snowbound places like Switzerland and Norway in a sport like bobsledding?

Funding their journey by selling sweatshirts and recording a reggae theme song … they did!

Funding their journey by selling sweatshirts and recording a reggae theme song …

they did!

Proving once again that … Impossible is nothing!

Nadia Comaneci Montreal, 1976

At the age of 14, she became the youngest-ever Olympic medalist in history.

At the age of 14, she became the youngest-ever Olympic medalist in history.

She obtained a perfect score for the uneven bars. It was the first time in the history of the modern Olympics.

Because the scoreboards did not even have enough space to show a 10, Nadia's score appeared as 1.00.

Because the scoreboards did not even have enough space to show a 10, Nadia's score appeared as 1.00.

Nadia obtained seven perfect 10s.

One can strive for perfection. It goes to show that

Lawrence Lemieux Seoul, 1988

The race began …

Sailing conditions suddenly turned dangerous. 15 knot winds escalated to 35 knots and the sea became choppy.

Sailing conditions suddenly turned dangerous.

15 knot winds escalated to 35 knots and the sea became choppy.

Seeing two sailors thrown into the water, Lawrence abandoned the race and rescued them.

Seeing two sailors thrown into the water, Lawrence

abandoned the race and rescued them.

He was second in the race at that time. He went on to finish his race in true Olympic spirit in 22 nd place. The International Yacht Racing Union decided to award him 2 nd place. None of the contestants questioned the decision.

He was second in the race at that time.

He went on to finish his race in true Olympic spirit in 22 nd place.

The International Yacht Racing Union decided to award him 2 nd place.

None of the contestants questioned the decision.

Indeed, winning is not everything.

Masahiko "Happy" Harada Nagano, 1998

1994: Japan is in the lead. Harada, the final jumper, only needs 110 m. His earlier jump was 122 m. He jumps only 97.5 m. The worst jump of anyone in the top 8 teams. It costs Japan the gold.

1994: Japan is in the lead.

Harada, the final jumper, only needs 110 m.

His earlier jump was 122 m.

He jumps only 97.5 m.

The worst jump of anyone in the top 8 teams.

It costs Japan the gold.

1998: Nagano, Japan. He is in first place after his first jump. Although he needs only a mediocre second jump, He falters and lands in fifth place. He eventually gets the bronze.

1998: Nagano, Japan.

He is in first place after his first jump.

Although he needs only a mediocre second jump,

He falters and lands in fifth place.

He eventually gets the bronze.

Then came the team event. His first jump is a mere 79.5 m. Japan moves from 1 st to 4 th . History looked like it was repeating itself.

Then came the team event.

His first jump is a mere 79.5 m.

Japan moves from 1 st to 4 th .

History looked like it was repeating itself.

Overcome your obstacles. Deal with the pressure. Don’t stop doing your best. Stay optimistic. Be happy.

Overcome your obstacles.

Deal with the pressure.

Don’t stop doing your best.

Stay optimistic.

Be happy.

Billy Mills 1964, Tokyo

He lost his parents at the age of 12. He didn’t make the High School Track team on his first try.

He lost his parents at

the age of 12.

He didn’t make the High

School Track team on his

first try.

His Olympic coach had such little faith in him that he didn’t give him a pair of running shoes; Billy had to borrow a pair. On race day no TV commentator even mentioned his name. No one gave him a chance to win.

His Olympic coach had

such little faith in him that

he didn’t give him a pair

of running shoes;

Billy had to borrow a pair.

On race day no TV

commentator even

mentioned his name.

No one gave him a chance

to win.

At the start of the final lap, it was Billy, an Aussie and a Tunisian and he was in the lead. The Aussie shoved past him, nearly knocking him off his feet. The Tunisian jostled his way between both of them. He was now third.

At the start of the final lap, it

was Billy, an Aussie and a

Tunisian and he was in the

lead.

The Aussie shoved past him,

nearly knocking him off his

feet.

The Tunisian jostled his way

between both of them.

He was now third.

In a final spurt, Billy passed the Aussie and the Tunisian in the last 30 meters of the race, almost like they were standing still. You can catch this amazing race on youtube!

In a final spurt, Billy passed the Aussie and the

Tunisian in the last 30 meters of the race, almost

like they were standing still.

You can catch this amazing race on youtube!

Wilma Rudolph 1960 Rome

Born 2 months premature, the 20 th out of 22 kids, Wilma suffered scarlet fever, double pneumonia and polio, spending her childhood bedridden.

Born 2 months premature,

the 20 th out of 22 kids,

Wilma suffered scarlet

fever, double pneumonia

and polio, spending her

childhood bedridden.

Doctors told her mother that her daughter would never be able to walk again. Too poor for hospitalization, her left leg became deformed so she wore metal leg braces at age 6. She was unable to walk until her eighth birthday.

Fourteen years later, she became the first American woman to win three gold medals at the Olympics for the 100m, 200m and 400m relay.

Fourteen years later, she became the first

American woman to win three gold medals at the

Olympics for the 100m, 200m and 400m relay.

There is no substitute for courage, hard work and determination.

Oscar “The Blade Runner” Pistorius London, 2012?

Citius, Altius, Fortius May these athletes inspire you to press on in the challenges of your life. © megabum21 2008