Well Done!

Singapore collected a total of 2 silver medals and 5 bronze medals in the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) 2010 which ended last night after 12 days of competition.  Most of the medals were won by young boys and girls who were not expected to win anything at all.

One Singapore competitor, who was one of the hot favourites to come away with a medal, didn't.  He was reported as saying that he had cracked under the pressure (he had performed better in a recent world event although the competition was tougher).  Well, he is only 16 years old after all!  He would now have a better idea of what real pressure can be, so much different when one is a hot favourite as compared to when one is an underdog.  He would now have a little experience learning to cope with the pressure.

Can the Swallow say that she would have been able to cope with such pressures when she was at the same age with the same circumstances?  She doubts it.  The life she remembers of the time when she was 16 years old was a carefree life.  The only pressure she had then was that she passed her 'O' Levels, though actually that was not very much a pressure...thank you, Dad and Mom!

When one is least expected to perform, when one is an underdog in any competition, when the pressure is off; these are the times when one usually does very well, as proven by the Singapore YOG team.

Says a lot about life too, doesn't it?  One doesn't know how long one's race is or what kind of events would take place.  It could be a short-distance race with one's life cut short at his prime.  It could be a long-distance race and one would need to pace himself so that he can finish the race well.  It could be a marathon and one would need to persevere and push himself beyond his limits.  It could be a biathlon, a triathlon or a decathlon where one would need to an all-rounder and doing it fantastically if he wanted to win.  It could be smooth sailing or churning waters.  It could be a rocky outcrop or it could be walking a tight-rope.

Hebrews 12 : 1b - 2 (NKJV)
...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Each event has its own preparations, and these preparations may vary event from event.  Some events require stamina, some require speed, and some require both.  Most require strength, whether physical, mental or emotional strength.  The short-distance runner cannot tell the long-distance runner that he is going about with the wrong preparation, nor can the marathoner advise the one doing the decathlon.  The shooter cannot teach the swimmer, nor can the runner teach the sailor.
 
What is important is not how one finishes the event, but that he finishes.  And how he endures the challenge and the competition.  Like those who fell during the competitions but picked themselves up to complete the challenge.  Like those who had 'personal bests' and although these 'bests' were not as good in a bigger field of competition, they pushed themselves and gave themselves a chance for a glimpse of the winner's podium by just entering the event.

Who would one rather be?  One of those who won a medal but had to return it when it was won unfairly, and thus not only bringing shame for himself but also for his family and his country? Or one of those who did not even enter the competition because the thought of not winning anything at all could not be borne, and thus did not give themselves a chance to overcome?  Better to be one of those who rose to the occasion and did his best, yet lost the competition but came away from the competition with a better experience, an increased knowledge and having had fun along the way!

What is important is not the medal tally, although that can be a goal and a bonus, but about the spirit of the game, the spirit of sportmanship, the spirit of fairness and equality, and the spirit of 'never-say-die'.
 
So, Singapore YOG team, well done!