The REAL Story of the Olympic Games

“It is the inspiration of the Olympic Games that drives people not only to compete but to improve, and to bring lasting spiritual and moral benefits to the athlete and inspiration to those lucky enough to witness the athletic dedication.” ~ Herb Elliott

Two weeks ago, I wrote about storylines of people winning gold medals. Last week, about a snowboarder who faced defeat.

While watching the games, I got a little bit jaded and annoyed at teammates bickering about who got more attention, and competitors pouting when they were silver and not gold.

Then, I found THE story. The one that epitomizes the true meaning and spirit of the Olympic games.
Meet Tugba Karademir. She is the first Olympic figure skater from her country, of Turkey. Ever. You didn't see her on the podium. She didn't expect to be there. Her goal was to make the top 10. She ended up placing 24th.

You're probably wondering why this is THE story? It's because she knows the joy of simply being able to compete. 13 years ago, her family left their home country of Turkey and all of their family and friends. They moved to Canada, in order to allow Tugba to train and have a better chance at her Olympic dream.

Her parents took blue collar jobs, working in factories and washing dishes. They sacrificed so much, simply to allow their daughter to go after her dream. Her dream first came true in 2006 in Torino. She was chosen as the Turkish flag bearer for the Opening Ceremonies that year. Something was missing for her.....her parents were not in attendance. They couldn't afford the trip.

In Vancouver this Olympics, the same problem was on track to occur again. Tugba's parents were not goint to be able to make the trip from Ontario. An Olympic sponsor, learned of Tugba's story. The sponsor paid for her parents to come to Vancouver. Last Tuesday night, they were in the stands as she skated at the 2010 Olympics. They beamed and proudly waived the Turkish flag.

She may not have won a medal, but she got to compete. And her family got to watch. In the end, maybe that's what is more important.

Here is a video of Tugba telling part of her story.

So all these cry baby, spoiled athletes who seem to be more worried about attention and publicity than anything else, might need to look around. The Olympic Games are bigger than any gold medal, tv interview, or one athlete.