ON BECOMING AN OLYMPIC ATHLETE

Greek sculpture, archer 

 Folks, it is not easy to be an Olympic medallist but there are some great insights we can derive from the news about how to be one:

1. Cultivate your intelligence. Not all sporty people are all brawn. They have brains. They can abstract from their experiences. For example, one equestrianne said that she focuses -- puts her mind to what she is doing at the time. Another one said, he does not think of tomorrow at all but what he can accomplish at the moment.                                                                             Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt

In other words, CONCENTRATE on practice, on training and on the game itself. Do not allow anything to distract you. Greek sulpture, wrestlers

2. Find a group of rah-rah supporters. How did Ms. H Diaz win? She had the battalions of the Philippine Air Force rooting for her. In  other words, her fans included the sergeants at arms, the privates and the generals. Can you beat that? And they took flight up in the air. So the rah-rah started from the ground and reached up to the skies. 

That's how big her support was which made her land in the silver medal category. 

3. Take care of your body. But be ready for the worst in case something happens to you. The equestrianne broke her collar bone but she said that she did not think of it at all when she was competing in the games. That is what you call mind over matter. 
 Olympic sculpture discus thrower
There may be some things you cannot change at the moment but then you have to face up to the challenge to overcome your opponents in the Olympic games. And so concentrate again, hard. 

4. Cultivate meditation or yoga -- which makes you focus your mind on one thing at a time. You can apply that to your practices and the game itself.  Meditation makes you ignore your surroundings and just focus on breathing in and out. So while swimming or running or playing table tennis, you just focus on the act itself. 

5. Read a lot about champions. Analyze their philosophy in life. Check how they reached the top; how they started, how they built up their skills, and who are the influential people in their lives. 

6. Keep a record of your practices and mark down your achievements. Check if you are improving and if not, do not feel ashamed to ask your mentor. Get a good mentor, one who believes in your capacity to achieve and who does not make any belittling remarks on you. 

Javelin Thrower, Greek sculpture
7. Before the event, listen to many inspiring words of believing in yourself. Avoid people who will put you down. Do not think of problems. Think positive. 

8. Girls and women should get proper training from coaches who are gender sensitive. It is a miracle that despite the all-male surroundings above her, Ms. Diaz was able to achieve that which is very elusive to many athletes. As members of the Female Sex, let us cultivate good vibes, read a lot about women champions and protect ourselves psychologically, intellectually, and emotionally.

Athena, Greek Goddess of Courage
9. Pray, pray hard to all the Gods, Goddesses and Saints that you know. 

Finally, the government should change the list of officials in the Philippine Olympic Committee should they not get at least two athletes to bring home medals. We need to be harsh on the officials so that they will do their job properly and that is -- motivate our athletes to perform  excellently.