Cheers shall ring forever for Michael Phelps setting a new gold standard in the 2008 Olympics. He not only set an Olympics record and created a sports legend, but also made world history this week.
He gives everyone in Maryland, and all Americans and citizens of the world, a bright beacon in times of trouble. The beacon is one of perseverance, hard work and commitment to an impossible goal of fulfilling natural talent.
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Phelps, 23, may have been born with physical abilities far beyond any human norms, but those are not what gained him the historic victory of eight gold medals and seven world records in Beijing.
Helping his strength of will and body gain victory were his family, friends, teammates, North Baltimore Aquatic Club coaches and his entire close community of fans.
“Nothing is impossible,” Phelps said. “With so many people saying it couldn’t be done, all it takes is an imagination.”
The ultimate accolade we all can give Phelps and our other Maryland Olympians is to learn from their example, even — maybe especially — those who try their best and fail.
Our little state has 16 athletes with Maryland connections competing this year. All of them must be among the best in the world just to be there, including Gary Russell, Jr., whose training regimen put him down before the first fight.
While we cheer ourselves hoarse for Phelps — whose legend hinged on only a one-hundredth of a second — most of us probably identify more with his swim mate Katie Hoff.
The powerhouse 19-year-old headed to Beijing touted to win six medals, including a couple of golds.
She returns with a silver and two bronzes. That in and of itself would be an astounding lifetime achievement. For Hoff, it is not good enough. She holds herself to a personal standard far tougher than a precise Olympic clock. Disappointment was written across her face as she stared in disbelief at the scoreboard after failing to advance.
All who strive and fall short know that look. The only ones who truly fail are those who never strive. Hoff has said she is aiming for London in 2012 and wherever the games land in 2016. Go for it!
After winning silver in the 400-meter freestyle last week, Hoff told reporters, “You never know what your limits are until you go over them.”
Let’s all write that one down.
For more information on Maryland Olympians, visit the following links.
Michael Phelps
Katie Hoff
Carmelo Anthony
Jay Antonelli
Gao Jun
Georgia Gould
Mechelle Lewis
Kerry McCoy
Scott Parsons
Lauren Powley
