The Oly and the Olive Branch – I [ The Extra-Ordinary Ones ]

This is the last one of this series of three. While watching every events in Olympic we wait with baited breath for the winners who ends up to the podium and it seems that things are like a cakewalk for the participants but it is not. However, participating in Olympic is itself is an extra-ordinary achievement.  Today I will peep into the history of Olympic and narrate about some who may or may not ends up to the podium but their tales are even more encouraging than the others.

Greg Louganis

American Greg Louganis won two gold medals in diving in 1984 and was favored to repeat at the Seoul Games in ‘88. During the preliminary competition, he banged his head on the diving board while attempting a reverse 2 1/2 pike. He had to be rescued from the pool and taken to the locker room to have his wound stitched up, and many thought he would be unable to compete. Despite a concussion, the courageous champion returned to the board minutes later and completed the preliminary round with his highest score of the day. The next day, he flawlessly executed the same dive he was injured on and won both gold medals he was competing for.

Kerri Strug

Kerri Strug was the last remaining competitor for the United States as they stood neck-and-neck with gymnastics powerhouse Russia for the gold medal in all-around team gymnastics competition at the 1996 Olympics. She needed to nail the vault in order to secure the gold for the U.S. Strug fell during her first attempt and badly sprained her left ankle. In obvious pain, she limped back to the runway and performed her routine, concluding with a majestic one-foot landing. The judges awarded her a 9.70 and the U.S. won the gold medal. Who can forget the image of Strug’s coach carrying her onto the podium to join her teammates for the medal ceremony?

Gail Devers

A young talent in the 100 m and 100 m hurdles, Devers was in training for the 1988 Summer Olympics, started experiencing health problems, suffering from among others migraine and vision loss. She qualified for the Olympics 100 m hurdles, in which she was eliminated in the semi-finals, but her health continued to deteriorate even further. In 1990, she was diagnosed with Graves' disease, and underwent radioactive iodine treatment  Devers recovered quickly and resumed training. At the 1991 World Championships, she won a silver medal in the 100 m hurdles.

At the 1992 Summer Olympics, Devers starred. She qualified for the final of the 100 m, which ended in an exciting finish, with five women finishing close (within 0.06 seconds). The photo finish showed Devers had narrowly beaten Jamaican Juliet Cuthbert.

Derek Redmond

After missing the 1988 Olympics due to injury, Derek Redmond of the United Kingdom entered the 1992 games in Barcelona as one of the favorites in the 400 meters. During the semifinal heat, he appeared to be cruising towards the finals, when he tore his right hamstring and collapsed to the ground in agony. Determined to finish the race, he waived off the medical crew and began hopping around the track, tears streaming down his cheeks from the pain. Redmond’s father made his way to the track, pushing officials away in the process, and helped his son finish the race.

Oscar Pistorius

Oscar Pistorius won a battle for Paralympians in 2008 when his appeal fighting for the right to compete in the Olympics was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport – they decided his "blades" didn’t offer him an advantage over able-bodied athletes. Four years later Pistorius walked into the Olympic Stadium as a member of the South African team and on August 4 he ran his first race, the 400m, finishing second to qualify for the semis. He didn’t make the finals, but that wasn’t his goal: "The whole experience is mind-blowing," Pistorius said after his race. “It’s a dream come true. It’s really a humbling experience to be here.”

Whatever Oscar Pistorius achieved it is incomparable and will be standout in our memory for many years.

!!!Burning Desire Is The Primary Tool For A Great Achievement!!!