Every time I pick up the sports page and read that someone has declined to participate in the Olympic games I cringe (Yes, I still read the newspaper). Admittedly, some have done so because of having to recover from an injury and some because they have have been there, done that. Some because they don’t get the magnitude and honor of this event.

The Olympic Games, at times are used as a political football. However, what the athletes experience in participating can be the highlight of their lives, win, lose or draw. As I was so graciously informed by one of my early clients, Nancy Hogshead, “once an Olympian always an Olympian.”

By the way, Nancy was a multi-medal winner in swimming at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. She is now a practicing attorney and the number one expert on Title IX in collegiate sports. For those who might not know, Title IX guarantees equality for women in collegiate athletics. Despite the guarantee it requires continued vigilance so that schools follow through.

Back to the Olympics … from the politics surrounding Jesse Owens’s sensational performance in 1936 in Nazi controlled Germany (Gold medals in the 100 and 200 meter sprints, the long jump and with his teammates in the 400 meter relay), he put the Negro athlete front and center on the world stage.

In the 1960 Olympics in Rome, long before Martin Luther King Jr.’s march to Selma, Alabama, two black athletes displayed their leadership to the world.

Rafer Johnson captained the U.S. track and field team and carried the American flag in the opening ceremonies. By the way, he set an Olympic record in winning the gold in the decathlon.

The other person was Wilma Rudolph, gold medal winner in the 100 and 200 meter sprints. This was a breakthrough for U.S. women, in general. In addition, Wilma and her Tennessee Belles teammates won the gold in the 400 meter relay. It was the first in U.S. women’s history. When Wilma returned home to Tennessee the mayor of her hometown said they wanted to have a parade in her honor. She said that would be fine as long as the Negro population of her town could watch from any vantage point of their choosing. The parade went off without a hitch.

Sports has always been a leader in dealing with the social issues of the time. Being an Olympian gives a person an audience lead.
Looking for more coaching and sports inspiration? Don’t miss the opportunity to check out Coach Todd’s books in the bookstore and over at lulu.com.