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Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 02, 2011
Olympic Inspiration
Just came across something I wrote while the Vancouver Games were going on.
Olympic Inspiration
With the 2010 winter Olympics now in full swing and the medals being handed out I got thinking about the recurring question about their impact.
The cost to stage the Olympics is no small amount of money. Early estimates had pegged the costs at over $6 Billion. I have to admit when I first hear a number like that I immediately think of all the social programs that could be supported with that kind of funding.
As the Games start to get rolling and the impact of our athletes achievements start to sink in I can’t help but start to feel differently. The power the games have to unite and inspire a nation is incredible. Perhaps where we are falling short is in continuing to build on this unity and inspiration after the games are over to make sure we get full benefit for our invested dollar. A pay it forward mentality. If you have been following Simon Whitfield’s blog you will have seen this pay it forward mentality in action.
Since achieving success in Sydney, Simon has taken it upon himself to not only continue to develop himself as an athlete but also insure that the next generation has an opportunity to succeed as well. He has not been alone in this endeavor having had the support of various corporate entities as well as numerous athletes.
My question here is what would happen if we all took this attitude and fed off the energy and enthusiasm the Olympic Games provide. Regardless of where they are held we as a nation are inspired and brought together every two years by the Olympics. What kind of lasting change could we make if we harnessed this unity and inspiration to help all Canadians succeed in there own personal quest for success in life.
The idea of paying it forward should not be limited to athletes alone. If our athletes performances have inspired you then why not pay that forward by inspiring some young person in what ever endeavor they are pursuing.
Olympic Inspiration
With the 2010 winter Olympics now in full swing and the medals being handed out I got thinking about the recurring question about their impact.
The cost to stage the Olympics is no small amount of money. Early estimates had pegged the costs at over $6 Billion. I have to admit when I first hear a number like that I immediately think of all the social programs that could be supported with that kind of funding.
As the Games start to get rolling and the impact of our athletes achievements start to sink in I can’t help but start to feel differently. The power the games have to unite and inspire a nation is incredible. Perhaps where we are falling short is in continuing to build on this unity and inspiration after the games are over to make sure we get full benefit for our invested dollar. A pay it forward mentality. If you have been following Simon Whitfield’s blog you will have seen this pay it forward mentality in action.
Since achieving success in Sydney, Simon has taken it upon himself to not only continue to develop himself as an athlete but also insure that the next generation has an opportunity to succeed as well. He has not been alone in this endeavor having had the support of various corporate entities as well as numerous athletes.
My question here is what would happen if we all took this attitude and fed off the energy and enthusiasm the Olympic Games provide. Regardless of where they are held we as a nation are inspired and brought together every two years by the Olympics. What kind of lasting change could we make if we harnessed this unity and inspiration to help all Canadians succeed in there own personal quest for success in life.
The idea of paying it forward should not be limited to athletes alone. If our athletes performances have inspired you then why not pay that forward by inspiring some young person in what ever endeavor they are pursuing.
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