If you haven’t been watching the Paris Olympics over the last three weeks, where the hell have you been.
I’ve been riveted. So many great moments.
The GB women’s quad skulls winning on the last stroke, the Turkish ‘hit-man’ nonchalently winning silver in the pistol shooting with his hand in his pocket; the emotion of the three women cyclists after winning gold for the first time in the team sprint; Leon Marchand picking up golds with the home crowd behind him in the pool – electric; the Aussie breakdancing, sticking it to the man and getting zero points, but enjoying herself nonetheless; the philosophical attitude from BMX rider Beth Shriever after dominating in the heats and then getting shut out in the final; and of course Simone Biles – the g.o.a.t. – at the gymnastic bowing to gold medalist Rebeca Andrade after coming second on the individual floor routine
Best. Games. Ever. It truly is the greatest show on earth.
What I loved the most was watching the women’s park skateboarding final. Not only was it exciting and nail bitingly close to watch, it was a lesson in competitive humility.
Every competitor wanted that gold and everyone went out to push the limits and deliver that perfect run. But also every skateboarder was cheering on the competition.
When a skater made a great run, the other skaters came over with big smiles and hugs and were really pleased for them. They then hit the park themselves and tried to better it.
When a skater crashed out of a run and came off the course frustrated, the other skaters came straight over to console them and encourage them for the next run.
They all wanted to win, but they wanted to win against their friends and competitors who were at their best.
That’s true humble competition and that is the olympic ideal.
It reminds me of the great bobsleigh champion Eugenio Monti – you can read about him here.