Post-Olympic Syndrome

Of the 10,820 athletes participating in the London 2012 Olympics, only about 820 received medals. For years, many will remember the accomplishments of American Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt of Jamaica. Phelps became the most decorated Olympic athlete of all time, winning 22 medals. Bolt became the first sprinter to retain all three sprinting gold medals at consecutive Olympics. However, amidst the celebrations, what about the 10,000 athletes and their coaches who did not win medals?

The Trinidad and Tobago government found itself having to apologize for failing to recognize athletes who did not receive medals. Four athletes returned with Keshorn Walcott who won a gold medal for his record-breaking javelin throw. Walcott received a full college scholarship, a new stadium at the college he’ll be attending will be named in his honor, a $400,000.00 townhouse in a community designated for use by government officials and diplomats, a national aircraft will be named in his honor, and a major road in his home district will be named in his honor. He was lavished with honor while the names of other athletes were not even mentioned at a home-coming ceremony.

Team Nigeria failed to win a single medal. The Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan ordered a comprehensive re-organization of the nation’s sports sector. Appeals have also been made for the Director-General of Nigeria’s Sports Commission to resign. 

Other Olympic casualities among the 204 nations participating included government officials, coaches, their support staff and many athletes. 

From the 302 sporting events, we knew from up front that only 962 medals could be won. The 30 world records broken were a bonus that lifted the standard of London 2012. The Brits were terrific hosts. All eyes will now be focused on Brazil for the 2016 Olympics. 

LESSONS TO BE LEARNED
Did you know that Olympic gold medals were not really made of gold? Actually, each gold medal was made up of 92.5% silver and 1.34% gold. The remainder of the gold medal was made of copper. The value of the materials used in the gold medal is about $644.00. Whereas the silver medal was made up of about 92.5% silver, the bronze medal, was 97% copper. 

Obviously, that was much more expensive than the awards that were given at the Isthmian Games. Paul referred to these Games in his first letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). 

The Isthmian Games were celebrated every two years on the isthmus of Corinth. The prizes in these games were perishable wreaths. However, like our own Olympics, the games were events of patriotic pride. Athletes contested in track and field, horse and chariot racing, jumping, boxing, wrestling and throwing the discus and javelin. Compare that with our 10,820 Olympic athletes who participated in 26 different sporting events. 

Paul’s reference to the Isthmian Games was not intended to promote the games. He was using the games as a metaphor to teach about the discipline necessary to become winners. Paul was contending that the Corinthians were disciplining themselves in order to receive an award that would perish in a few days. In addition, winning was accompanied by a great sense of devotion to the state and to whichever god was being honored as patron of the games. 

Following the London Olympics, many countries felt a similar sense of honor and pride. As hosts, England achieved her highest tally of gold medals since 1908, finishing third in the medal table. American legislators are considering lifting the taxes imposed on the monetary value of awards. It is this sense of discipline and reward Paul captures. 

He sees the Christian life as a race. As participants we must discipline ourselves in the race of life. As athletes do, we must identify and eliminate all distractions. Distractions would include activities and behaviors that will affect victorious living. Just like athletes, Christians must be focused on the goal. Sometimes we forget that the goal is not the other athletes, who are also in the race. 

It is at the end of the race winners are determined. Medals are awarded to winners. Winners are determined not only by those who crossed the finish line, but also by those who ran according to the rules. 

According to Paul, “…run in such a way as to get the prize”. In addition, the prize is not like the first century Isthmian wreath or the gold-plated Olympian goal medal. For the Christian, the prize is “a crown that will last forever”. Because of this Paul concludes, “I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:27).