What Matters Most to Olympians - in Olympic Keynote Hindsight

Posted by Vince Poscente on Wed, Feb 12, 2014 @ 05:00 AM

Time and again, after delivering an Olympic keynote speech, the question most asked:What was the best part of competing at the Olympics? The answer is always the same. “It was great to share it with family.”

Maybe this makes perfect sense, since, at your deathbed, family is what matters most.

Of the 3,000 athletes competing in Sochi, a couple of hundred will go home with medals and the rest have a nice little participant souvenir. Medal or not, sharing with family is a true highlight.

You’ll hear plenty of stories from the Olympics. Heartwarming stories like Alex Bilodeau’s credit to his brother Frederic for the daily inspiration he displayed while dealing with Cerebral Palsy. 

You’ll never hear stories about the Mitchel Malyks in Sochi. Mitchel placed 26th in the men’s luge singles. The only media sound bite that could be picked up is Mitchel (18) is the youngest competitor in his event. The true story is one of family pride. 

His father John is a long time family friend. We basically adopted John when he moved to Alberta. When I was the executive director of Alberta Luge, John became my right hand man. Along with my brother, we all were roommates in the years leading up the Olympic Winter Games in Calgary in 1988. John volunteered the Olympic Organizing Committee in luge. He even competed in some smaller races. Fast forward to the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi.


Malyks_in_Sochi

John flew his entire family to Sochi to cheer their Mitchel on. Did they hope Mitchel would medal. Of course. But what mattered to them was the family experience. I can’t speak for Mitchel, but chances are, this is what he will cherish from his time at Sochi.

Its reported, NHLersJamie Benn, Patrice Bergeron, Ryan Getzlaf, Roberto Luongo, Mike Smith and coaches Mike Babcock and Lindy Ruff aren't bringing family overbecause of fears of terrorism. That’s a shame since their experience will only be with teammates.

In Albertville, the host committee organized a family hosting exchange. My folks stayed at a family’s home in Bourge St. Maurice. We stay in touch with them to this day. Families communing with families – the quintessential Olympic experience.

What motivates you to succeed in your business? 

In your life? 

Chances are… if you boil it down… family is what will drive you to the Olympic principles of excellence.

 

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Tags: Motivational, Inspirational