I see this exemplified in the Tongaian competitor, Pita Taufatofua,
who participated in the 15K cross-country skiing event. He knew he
couldn't win, he hoped only to finish, and he hoped to finish "before
they shut the lights off" as he said. Yep, he knew he was that poor in
comparison to the field of athletes he would join in this event.
He did finish and he didn't finish last. But, when he crossed the finish line he stayed waiting for the last few who were still coming to cross it, cheering them on and offering them a hug of support and congratulations for having made it as well.
When Taufatofua was asked, "What did you hope to accomplish here?" he replied to have fun and to show all the young athletes out there what was possible, so they could do what they must to be an Olympian as well ... and then to come and do better than he had.
Hold that thought for a moment, to strive on roller skis to learn the movement required to compete in the Olympics, and to fall again and again, knowing you will never win, you may not even finish the event. The for the first time ever, just days before the event, he got to put on real skis and practice for the live event. He said of his finish, "I'd rather finish toward the end of the pack with all of my friends than somewhere in the middle by myself. We fought together, we finish together.”
He did finish and he didn't finish last. But, when he crossed the finish line he stayed waiting for the last few who were still coming to cross it, cheering them on and offering them a hug of support and congratulations for having made it as well.
When Taufatofua was asked, "What did you hope to accomplish here?" he replied to have fun and to show all the young athletes out there what was possible, so they could do what they must to be an Olympian as well ... and then to come and do better than he had.
Hold that thought for a moment, to strive on roller skis to learn the movement required to compete in the Olympics, and to fall again and again, knowing you will never win, you may not even finish the event. The for the first time ever, just days before the event, he got to put on real skis and practice for the live event. He said of his finish, "I'd rather finish toward the end of the pack with all of my friends than somewhere in the middle by myself. We fought together, we finish together.”
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