Olympic Season

It's Olympic time again. And again, I am just in awe of the number of druggies that are shaming themselves as well as their country as well as the tradition of the Olympics.

If you were a high school jock who was planning to get a sports scholarship to a university, I wouldn't say much. But if you are an athlete of Olympics caliber -- you should be beyond that. There is more expected from you, and I don't mean gold medals. When you are a steller athlete, you are expected to perform in an honorable manner. Have sportsmanship!

Go, try your best, and if you should lose, congratulate the opponent. How can you even attempt to cheat? Just from your attempt to cheat, you should be disqualified. The Olympics isn't about winning. It's an attempt, through sports, to unify the world, solidify our friendships, and to honor great athletes.

Sure, you'll get that endorsement from Nike and Adidas and Gatorade if you won the gold, but think about your honor! Your name! Can you sign your autographs to kids who want to be "just like you" when they grow up? Athletes of such weak mentalities should not be allowed to enter the hallowed grounds where so many athletes kept their dignity whether they won or lost.

If you're a loser at home snorting coke, you hurt yourself. If you do steroids or like drugs when you're the captain of the football team, you just disappointed yourself, your team, your school, and possibly your town. If you are an athlete, representing your country, and you take illegal drugs, you are first and foremost a disgrace to yourself and your talents, and you have brought immense shame to your country, your fellow teammates, and you have undermined the tradition of the Olympics. You should be ashamed.

There is no shame being second or third or fourth or whatever. What matters is that you gave it your best, your all. Accepting defeat doesn't mean that you are without dignity. Shoot for the gold; but if you end up with the silver, shake the gold medalist's hand and congratulate him. Be proud of what you have completed. Ask the gold medalist for some pointers. If you have truly gave it your best shot, there are no regrets, no shame, no disappointments.

Olympics may seem to get lost in the athletics -- but remember that it is the discipline, the mentality, and strength (not just physical strength, but also inner strength) that the Greeks originally sought to uphold.