More than Gold

As I write this article for the Builders Bulletin, I’m aware the Paris Olympics are fast becoming a distant memory. Only a few weeks ago, like most of you, I witnessed a spectacular city presenting a spectacular Olympics. Again, like you I’m sure, there was much trepidation that some group or organisation would use this world event to violently promote their views, their cause. Nothing happened of note it seems so it was left to the athletes to excite and inspire us – their cause was for the good of the world and away from other events that threaten to destroy our spirit and aspirations.

The emphasis in all sporting events is to be a winner – and there is nothing wrong with that. But of course there are only a relative few who can take home an Olympic medal for themselves and their country. Rightfully we laud the ‘winners’ and sympathise with the ‘losers’. What I do think is wrong (but expected) is the ‘over the top’ plaudits that refer to gold medallists as heroes. The dictionary’s definition of a hero is ‘a person who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.’ So yes, gold medallists fit that definition but so does every competitor. (In my view a hero is one who goes beyond the call of duty, saves a life or gives up their own life for another.) Forget what I think however and concentrate on the dictionary’s interpretation!

I align ordinary people in a workplace who show courage, conviction, honesty and work hard for family and their future equally with the ‘lauded lot’ from a few weeks ago … working families are heroes too.

However, I do remain critical when comments are made in reference to Olympians that “they should get a real job.” Tell that to any dedicated sports person who mentally and physically goes through years of sacrifice, blood, sweat and tears. Not just the athletes, but their families too.

Some Olympic athletes are overpaid just as numbers of sporting greats are generally. The LIV Golf Members list starts with Jon Rahm at No 1 on $210m in earnings despite not winning a tournament this year. But take out the top golfers, the Ronaldo’s of soccer and the LeBron’s of basketball and you are left with millions of excellent sports men and women who work hard every day to improve their careers – and not always in pursuit of money. Most of the Olympic athletes we applauded a month ago don’t in fact dedicate themselves towards a pot of gold, but rather towards an elusive gold medal. Hard work and dedication to the ‘job’ also doesn’t guarantee success. The ethic of a gold medal winner and that of the athlete that comes last doesn’t necessarily differ …. of the 10,500 athletes that competed in Paris only 1,000 went home with a medal (gold, silver or bronze).

Listening to our champion swimmers thanking parents and family for support including 4:00am, middle of the winter, training starts – day after day, year after year – brings home the message of just how hard a job it is for an athlete. Win, lose or draw. So it really is more than gold isn’t it – Bowens have many people getting up at 4:00am every morning in pursuit of a job that doesn’t bring them gold of any description. Hopefully, it does bring a sense of purpose, a sense of belonging and security.

The quote which most resonates about success is the one by former US president Theodore Roosevelt way back in 1910. His words may do with some modern-day updating to include women but they are still apt.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better,” he said.

“The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and short-coming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

And again ‘more than Gold’ was the games first Olympic Refugee Team – 37 members representing the 120 million displaced people in the world. Tracey Holmes (Sportswriter) noted that ‘If all the displaced people came from a single country, it would be nudging the Top 10 most populated states. Tracey also summarised the Paris Games beautifully … ‘Despite the worst of it – wars in Ukraine and Gaza, tensions between the U.S. and China, and the seeds of political and ideological discontent magnified by the proliferation of fake news – there resides among us an ability to come together and celebrate the best of it. Paris has shown us how.’

Over the next month Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide will do a ‘Paris’ for Australia. AFL Finals crowds of 50,000 to 100,000 will come together eight or nine times at three major venues. Australians will sit and stand side by side, with eight teams providing a forum and the ability for us to ‘come together and celebrate.’

Last year I clearly remember large angry groups marching through our city during the week leading up to the Grand Final. One could surmise that at least 50% of the marchers attended the Grand Final and (I like to think) joined in friendly banter – possibly with people they marched against just days earlier.

Pure Gold that one!