WHAT THE OLYMPICS TAUGHT ME

This is a very proud moment for SA. Cameron van der Burgh and Chad le Clos along with Matthew Brittain, John Smith, Sizwe Ndlovu and James Thompson have done justice in representing us in the London Olympics this past week, seeing our great nation win three gold medals in the water.

But pride is a powerful emotion, or should I rather say, a powerful force. Pride can take us down a positive or a negative outcome depending on how it influences our view on others.

Before I continue, I need to stress that I have no problems with Americans or the nation of America. But the country is truly an example of how pride can take one down a negative path if it’s channelled negatively.

When Durban’s Chad le Clos accomplished the great feat of winning a gold medal at the tender age of twenty, he instantly became an international sporting darling, the international sporting world congratulating his hard work and raw talent for what it was.

The most an American news site could say about the very same swim? Oh, nothing but the fact that Michael Phelps won a silver medal. A twenty year old swimmer from Durban beat Michael Phelps in the water but still struggles to break out from under Phelps’ shadow.

Needless to say, this kind of patriotic arrogance was quite embarrassing for the United States as their reporters couldn’t even bring themselves to acknowledge that they were beaten.

London as a city is also not completely innocent in this. People have already expressed concern around whether the organisers of the Olympics understand that they are hosting an international event.

The saga of empty seats continues all while tourists keep camping outside of the venue asking to get access to purchase tickets.

It’s all very strange. But one thing that has become very clear in these two examples surrounding one global event is the negative impact when groups of people (not nations, per se) cannot see past their own noses.

It’s important in life to remember that we are each made for the world and that the world is not a luxury sofa custom designed to our specifications. A very important step on the journey to success or happiness is an acceptance of things as they are.

Too often as young people, we are ignorant of harsh realities and want to air-brush the truth in our own minds about our challenges and our failures. This is dangerous, not only because a person could set themselves up disappointment, but also because when we think like this we are of no use to the society and world around us.

Today, I would like to challenge anyone with high hopes and dreams to push those aspirations to the limit. If it doesn’t work out be honest with yourself and use that as a lesson to make you better when the second chance comes: and believe me, the second chance will come.

But what do I know? I’m not that great at water sports anyway.

President Nzumbi