The American ice dancing team of Madison Chock and Evan Bates were poised for medal contention after their beautiful short program, but suffered a shocking fall in their free program. Their heartbreak was apparent at the end of it, they both appeared overcome with angst, and with perfectly understandable reason.
There are some people who watch and wait for the falls in figure skating, then there are the people who have half a heart and some decency. I don’t like seeing anyone fall or fail, but it’s always interesting to see what people will do after it happens. Will they pick themselves up again and keep trying? Will it stall them momentarily, requiring a recovery period? Or will it fell them forever, robbing them of any future?
Chock and Bates looked a bit shocked when it happened, but they picked themselves up and completed the program. At the end there were some tears, but they had the audience, and the world, suddenly behind them. Messages of support and encouragement flooded their social media accounts. They ended up sending out words of thanks for all that they had received. It was a lesson in life.
That’s the measure of a true Olympian.
That’s the grace of an amazing human being.
Every Olympic games has a moment that stays with me and resonates for some reason. This may be that moment for me, and it’s an inspiration.
