'Couver Tale

The names have been omitted to protect individuals from being discovered on any through a search engine. All which shall be treated as truth is the fact all situations transpired during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games, and all people mentioned spoke English; to varying degrees.

Naturally, all of the hype is all on the players around here. The key being current players and anyone else in the moment. Four years is usually enough time to change the guard or wipe memories clean. We are a world in the now and next week; not yesterday or the past. A medal winner can return four years later to coach and suddenly become a nobody to the press, news departments, or even event staff - let alone the general public. It's a shock to the system for many, but I already learned that. At least my lesson was not as hard to learn, rather than for some.

When I took a medal, one of my coaching staff won a medal during the previous winter Olympics. It was the first time I saw him less than happy or enthusiastic. He wasn't my favorite or who I worked most closely with, but he made an impact on me nonetheless. When everyone was gathered around and welcoming me back from the podium, he was off and noticeably to the side. At one point towards the end of the celebration party before our departure, I caught him out back. Word had it he was looking for me.

Pulling me aside, he said there was something he had to say. Usually this is the point where things get a little bit like a Hallmark card if a Hollywood story about a kid that defied the odds...but he had different words accompanying his all-but-stoic face. He held up an object when he spoke; explaining this was what he was looking at instead of me listening to my country's anthem on the podium. The item was the medal he won not so long ago. He reminded me that very anthem I heard on the podium was the same one he listened to previously. Before putting it back into his pocket, I could see a faraway streetlight ricochet off his highly-polished item of desire. Then he uttered two words for me to remember. "Things change."

I admit to buzzing pretty hard, feeling no pain that night. Free drinks can do that to a person. I was in too good of mood for even a speeding train to stop it...but I dwelled on the moment later on. My assumption was the man had a hard time accepting his career was over in the arena of performing as an athlete. A short time ago, he was a winner. If he chose differently, maybe he would have competed this time around– possibly even in lieu of me- but he pushed too hard at one point. Now he assumes a new role in an Olympic team.

If he took it easier, there's a possibility he wouldn't have taken a medal anyway, let alone competed at all. It's a calculation which manifests inside the mind of all competitors - whether we want to admit it or not: how hard to push to get what we know we deserve. What is the price of glory? If he eased off, would there have been a slim chance to return to represent his country? There are no sure things...and tack four years onto that. The human body is an extraordinary machine, but has a shelf life for certain things. Many would have given up much more to have the exact experience he did. The burst of glory as a dying star in the cosmos. To those, the exchange rate would have been beyond fair.

For what it's worth, I took a page from his book regarding what to, and not to, do. I am supportive and encouraging. I feel nothing but pride when I am surpassed by one I have dedicated assistance toward. I got out before I was injured or felt disgraced for trying to compete past my prime. Later on an honor was bestowed upon me when I was asked to join my country's coaching staff. And so...in Vancouver I was happily enjoying a beer local to the area in moderate anticipation of this coming Olympics. Until he walked in.

It all seemed mundane. A guy approaches and asks if a seat is taken. The Olympic Village is a form utopia all in itself, like a rock concert with no egos. Most of the people are too busy having fun and enjoying the limelight. Those with strife usually insulate themselves or stay secluded when not ostracized from the rest trying to have fun and promote peace. It also meant people randomly sitting down at table to share a beverage and soak up the hype or try to stave off the jitters.