Have you been watching the Olympics in Paris? Something’s changed. The athletes seem different. Confident, but (mostly) humble. Laser-focused, but more relaxed. Intensely competitive, but even more respectful of their opponents. Overall, they just seem happy and comfortable in their own skin.
We’re here for it. We’re all in.
Showing more respect. The athletes’ support for each other has leveled up this year. Gymnast Suni Lee (and her teammate Simone Biles) eagerly cheered on competitor Kaylia Neymour (Algeria) as she flipped through her final uneven bar routine. Rebeca Andrade (Brazil) and Biles openly supported each other’s gymnastics routines, even as Biles acknowledged that Andrade’s strong showing in the individual All-Around stressed her out. Their good-natured rivalry drives them to be even better athletes. Biles and teammate Jordan Chiles even bowed down to Andrade as the three took their spots on the medal stand when Andrade won individual gold on the floor exercise.
American runner Noah Lyles threw down a lot of trash talk ahead of the semis in the men’s 100m race in his quest to be the fastest man in the world. And then Jamaican Oblique Seville quietly edged ahead of him to finish with a better time. They both qualified for the final, but Lyles was served some humble pie. He could’ve just walked away, but Lyles rightfully congratulated Seville on his faster run before walking off the track.
Katie Ledecky won the gold in the 800m freestyle and pulled up teammate and bronze medalist Paige Madden to share the top level of the medal stand as the Star Spangled Banner played. That’s real Olympic spirit.
Being real. Generally, the athletes this year just look more like real (albeit ridiculously fit) people. While still incredibly muscular, they look like they’re eating well instead of starving themselves to thinness. They look healthy. And they’re smiling…a lot!
Also, athletes are competing and peaking at an older age, especially in gymnastics and swimming. Biles and Ledecky, both 27, have even left open the possibility of coming back to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. The world of sports has finally realized the value maturity brings, and athletes aren’t being forced to retire prematurely if they’ve still got something to give. They have spouses and families that give them a broader life perspective, helping relax and ground them.
Timing it right. In Tokyo in 2021, Simone Biles won just one medal before withdrawing from the competition for mental and physical health reasons, sparking all sorts of controversy. But she took care of herself and came roaring back to win three golds and a silver in Paris this year. Sha’Carri Richardson also took silver this time in the women’s 100m final after being unable to compete in Tokyo.
In a surprising turn of events, former competitive rower turned cyclist Kristin Faulkner stunned the field by winning gold in the women’s Road Race Sunday after competing in the sport for only seven years. Perfect timing is different for everyone.
Accepting less than gold. In a world that prioritizes winning the top prize, it’s fun to watch athletes excited to reach any level on the medal podium, even those who started with highest expectations. Suni Lee was ecstatic to win the bronze on uneven bars after her recent battle through two kidney diseases. Swimmer Reagan Smith put her “best foot forward” and said she was thrilled to win silver in the 200m backstroke, preemptively calling out anyone who might dampen her moment by asking if she was disappointed not to win gold.
Rarely have we seen anyone so excited to win bronze than the U.S. men’s gymnastics team, ending our 16-year medal drought in the men’s team competition. Excitement over the team’s pommel horse specialist Stephen Nedoroscik’s performance almost broke the internet. Glasses-wearing Clark Kent/Superman memes poked good-natured fun at his geeky, Rubik’s cube-loving persona and made him one of the breakout stars of this Olympics. Winning third place never looked so good.
Still getting great results. Swimmer Bobby Finke set a world record in the men’s 1500m free final, the only man on the U.S. swimming team to win an individual gold in Paris. Our Gretchen Walsh swam the fastest butterfly split in history. The U.S. Women’s swim team set a new world record in the 4x100m relay. Clearly, taking better care of themselves isn’t negatively affecting the athletes’ performances. In fact, highly decorated tennis star Novak Djokovic claims winning gold for his country feels greater than anything else he’s won. Doing something for a greater purpose makes it more meaningful.
For the first time ever, breaking – yes, that break dancing from the 80’s – is an Olympic sport. Along with new sport climbing, skateboarding and surfing events, the Olympics are rewarding creativity and athletic performance like never before. The athletes are embracing new ways as well.
They’re prioritizing who they are and what they need, regardless of what anyone else thinks. They’re proud of themselves, but they’re willing to share the spotlight. They’re serious about their sport, but they don’t take themselves too seriously. They’re talking smack, but they’re also rooting for the competition. They’re having fun and still killing it.
How can we do the same as we go after our own dreams? Figure out your own right timing and don’t let anyone talk you out of what you know is right for you. We need you to do the things you’re meant to do for the good of all of us – so break out of the mold that’s holding you back and get to it!
