Dear Katrina,
Who or what most inspired you at the pool for 2012 Olympic Games?
As we watch the 2012 Olympic Games may we all be inspired by what we got to witness via the internet, live, radio, television, or other forms of communication.
WOW! In the pool, world records fell, people swam out of their minds, and we witnessed yet another reason why the world gets so engrossed in the Olympic Games.
Let’s be honest – being able to watch anyone focus on their dreams, and keep showing up even in moments of fear and doubt, and then reach or surpass those dreams is what we all live for – to be able to bring out our true best, in whatever our endeavors might be in our lives.
One of my favorite races was 15 year old Katie Ledecky’s 800 meter freestyle – winning and getting Janet Evan’s very old American Record and almost getting the world record…and what I love most is that she was not even a consideration to make the team a year ago!
Another favorite was the Lithuanian, 15 year old Ruta Meilutyte who dropped two seconds to win the 100 meter breastroke gold. Even though our own American, Rebecca Soni got second, she showed true sportsmanship and grace in congratulating Ruta, and then she went on to break the world record in the 200 meter breastroke, and be the first woman to go under 2:20! WOW!
And for French Florent Manaudou to take the gold in the 50 meter freestyle which stunned many – but both he and his sister, Laure Manaudou now have gold medals! WOW~! Athony Ervin had a slow start but good for him for being back 12 years later. Cullen Jones of USA got silver!
Nathan Adrian’s wonderful win in the 100 freestyle…and I especially loved his expression after he won! “I can’t believe it” look and PURE JOY.
Tyler Clary’s win in the 200 backstroke -having been the 3rd guy for a long time to Phelps and Lochte, I am sure this was super sweet for him. And even with Ryan’s busy swim schedule, he still won bronze in this event.
Missy Franklin, at age 17 showed how tough someone can be – for her first Olympics, she comes home with 4 golds and a bronze, and 4th, and 5th place.
Allison Schmitt had a fabulous Olympic Games with 5 medals and Dana Vollmer also did great with world record win in the 100 meter fly, and two golds and another world record on the 4×200 free relay and 4×100 medley relay.
The well-talked about duo between Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte was fun to watch – as always! Ryan won the 400 IM and Phelps took the 200 IM, with Ryan second. We have been blessed to race the two of them over the past 8 years – both are an inspiration in their own right.
And to a man who has forever influenced the sport of swimming around the world – Michael Phelps! He has the most medals of any Olympian with 22, and 18 of them gold. He has DOUBLE the amount of gold medals than ANY other Olympian EVER. IMPRESSIVE.
And he is the first to threepeat at all – and he did it in 2 events – 100 fly and 200 IM.
If he continues to be THIS impressive in his life outside of the pool, it will be fun to experience how he uses his Olympic experiences to further enhance our world.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE POOL RACE TO WATCH AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES? WHO AND WHAT INSPIRED YOU?
WHAT OTHER INSPIRATIONAL MOMENTS DID YOU SEE/ARE YOU SEEING IN OTHER SPORTS AT THE OLYMPICS?
How are you using this inspiration to motivate you in your own life?
AND GOOD LUCK TO ALL USA OPEN WATER SWIMMERS!!
Keep SHINING!
Katrina
p.s. if you are interested in reading more about the Olympics or having tools to embrace your own inner Olympian, check out my bestselling peak potential book, Be Your Best Without the Stress at:
or:
Inspirational feature video on Katie Ledecky. You will cry. –> http://youtu.be/SRaQMhITxHc
Thanks – very nice! I have a feeling we have just begun to see who Katie is and what she is capable of doing in her swimming career!
Phelps bouncing back to win gold in his last 3 races. Lochte beating Phelps textile best in the 4IM to oepn the meet. Ledecky just GOING FOR IT, and never dying!!! Adrian fearless against the favorites. The power and poise of Franklin all week long. Vollmer under 56. Lia Neal coming through in her first national team meet. Schmitty being so tough all week long. Grevers/Thoman 1-2. Clary backing up his trash talk. PVDK gutting out another medal in his only event. Jones medaling despite all the time he sacrificed saving lives with Make-A-Splash. Beisel medaling in both her events. The list goes on and on….
Yes, so happy for Beisel, Clary, Grevers and Thoman…and EVERYONE competing at the Olympics – to take part and give your best – what else can we ask for – it inspires bringing out the best within us all 🙂