Deputy Principal 

There must be a term to describe the gapping hole that follows the end of an Olympic Games. I’ve been captivated by every moment of the Marlano Cortina Winter Olympics, often watching in sheer disbelief at what the human body can achieve. I never imagined I’d become a fan of curling, but now I’m a convert! My knees have ached just watching our mogul skiers endure the enormous pressure on their bodies. 

What really stood out to me in these sports was the camaraderie and genuine joy the athletes displayed, regardless of their rankings. We’ve all witnessed the absolute joy and heart-wrenching heartbreak that comes with winning and losing at this level. We’ve seen athletes overcome severe injuries and setbacks to achieve personal bests. 

Watching the Winter Olympics and the genuine support these athletes have shown one another reminded me of my favourite moment at the Summer Games. This was the medal presentation for the Women’s Floor Routine. Simone Biles, arguably the greatest athlete in the world, finished second to a Brazilian athlete, and what followed is described in the excerpt below. Imagine the difference it would make if we all chose to lift each other up every day, without expecting anything in return—simply because we can.

Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles literally bowed down to Brazillian gymnast Rebecca Andrade on the podium and she claimed first place in the gymnastics floor final. Apparently, Jordan asked Simone, “Should we bow to her?” And Simone replied “Absolutely”. 

When questioned n this afterwards, Simone said: “It was just the right thing to do.”

Can you just imagine?

Can you just imagine if people always cheered for one another so enthusiastically, so boldly, so unapologetically, so joyfully and, so selflessly?

Can you just imagine if people didn’t feel threatened by each other success and used them instead as motivation.

Can you just imagine if everyone supported everyone simply because it was just the right thing to do. 

This. Is. Everything

And this is why I love the Olympics – because we don’t look to them just as an example of what we could do as athletes, we look at them as an example of what we could be as humans. 

Tickets for Sale

Thanks to the Sobey Family for the prize donation