Hey team, I want to chat with you about something that’s fresh on all our minds—the Paris 2024 Olympics. I know we all watched in awe as these incredible athletes pushed their limits, broke records, and showed the world what it means to compete at the highest level. It was such an inspiring display of the human spirit and sportsmanship. But beyond the medals and the headlines, there are some key lessons we can all take away from these Games. Let’s dive into six things we can learn from Paris 2024 that can help us in our own athletic journeys.
1. Preparation is Everything: Trust the Grind
First off, let's talk about preparation. Every athlete at the Olympics didn’t just wake up one day and decide to compete—they’ve been preparing for years. Take Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, for example. She crushed it in the 400-meter hurdles, defending her title with an incredible performance. But that success didn’t happen overnight. It came from relentless training, fine-tuning her technique, and staying mentally sharp.
What we can learn: Whatever your goal is, trust the process. Your daily grind, the hours you put in, the sacrifices you make—they all add up. When the time comes, you’ll be ready because you’ve put in the work.
2. Be Adaptable: Roll with the Punches
Next up, is adaptability. Paris 2024 threw a lot at these athletes—crazy weather, last-minute changes, and the intense pressure of performing on the biggest stage. Armand Duplantis, the Swedish pole vaulter, faced some serious wind during his final jumps. Did he panic? Nope. He adjusted his technique and set a new Olympic record. It was an incredible feat!
What we can learn: Things won’t always go as planned. Maybe it’s an injury, a change in competition rules, or something totally unexpected. The key is to stay flexible and adjust your approach when needed. Adapt, don’t break.
3. Mental Toughness: Push Through the Tough Times
Now, let’s talk about mental toughness. Physical strength is one thing, but if you’re not strong upstairs, you’re going to struggle when things get tough. Look at Simone Manuel. She had a rough time leading up to Paris with health issues that impacted her performance. But did she give up? No way. She kept pushing, made the team, and competed in her third Olympics earning two silver medals in the 4x100M and 4x200M women's freestyle relays.
And let's not forget Simone Biles, who pulled out of several events in Tokyo in 2020 due to the twisties. The backlash she faced led to her question herself. She sought out therapy and took two years off from international competition before working her way back to becoming the Olympic Gold medalist in All-Around and Vault. She added a Team Gold and earned a silver medal on Floor. Simone is now the most decorated gymnast in American history. Now that was a mental comeback!
What we can learn: You’re going to face setbacks—that’s just part of the game. What matters is how you respond. Stay focused, stay positive, and keep pushing, even when things aren’t going your way. And ask for help. You are not alone.
4. Journaling: Reflect to Improve
Here’s something you might not have thought about—journaling. Many top athletes use journaling as a tool to track their progress, reflect on their performances, and set new goals. It’s a powerful way to stay connected to your journey and make continuous improvements. For instance, athletes like Katie Ledecky, Anna Hall, Suni Lee, and many more have been known to keep detailed journals, tracking everything from workouts to mental states, which helps them fine-tune their approach.
What we can learn: Start keeping a journal. Use it to reflect on your training, mindset, and goals. It’s a great way to identify what’s working, what needs improvement, and how you can continue to grow.
5. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Lean on Your People
Even in individual sports, no one does it alone. The U.S. men's gymnastics team demonstrated that teamwork is crucial. Brody Malone, Frederick Richard, Paul Juda, Asher Hong, and Stephen Nedoroscik relied on each other, trusted their coaches, and worked together to achieve strong performances in Paris. Who can forget the mesmerizing final performance by Stephen to cinch the team bronze medal for the first time in 16 years? Their unity and support for one another highlighted how essential it is to have a solid team behind you.
In the 4x400M Women's Relay, Team USA dominated. Each individual runner gave their best to propel Shamier Little, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Gabby Thomas, and Alexis Holmes to a new American record and the Gold Medal. Each runner was chosen for their particular run and together they achieved Gold.
What we can learn: Don’t underestimate the power of your team, your coaches, and your support network. They’re there to help you succeed. Lean on them, learn from them, and remember that success is a team effort.
6. Keep Pushing: Never Settle for Just Good Enough
Lastly, I want to talk about the pursuit of excellence. Katie Ledecky—need I say more? She’s already one of the greatest swimmers of all time, but she’s still out there, pushing herself, setting new records, and striving to get better. Watching her be almost a pool's length ahead of her competition was unreal. She now owns the top 20 fastest times in the history of the women's 1500 M Freestyle. Katie is now the most decorated female swimmer of all time with 14 total Olympic medals, nine of which are Gold. Can we say GOAT?
What we can learn: No matter how good you are, there’s always room to improve. Don’t settle. Keep pushing yourself to be better than you were yesterday. Success is a journey, not a destination.
Wrapping Up
So, what can we take away from the Paris 2024 Olympics? It’s not just about who won or who set records. It’s about the lessons these athletes showed us through their actions—preparation, adaptability, mental toughness, teamwork, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. These are things we can all apply, whether we’re aiming for the next level in our sport or just trying to be the best versions of ourselves. Let’s take these lessons and use them to fuel our own journeys. Keep grinding, stay adaptable, lean on your team, push through the tough times, and never stop striving to be the best version of yourself.
