Dear Olympic Athletes of Team USA,
First of all, I wish I was you. I wish I was in Rio with my fellow countrymen at the opening ceremony. I wish I could compete at the highest level. I wish I was in the arena with you. I wish I could go through all your training and sacrifice to even get the opportunity to compete. I wish I could be a part of the brotherhood and sisterhood that is Team USA. It seems to me even if you're a gymnast or a basketball player or a swimmer that being a representative of Team USA you are a part of a family, a bond you will hold on to forever. I wish I was you.
Thank you for your sacrifice. It isn't easy being an athlete much less an Olympian. You've given up your time to train for your sport. You've given up spending time with those you care about. You've given up having a "normal life." You've given up food (looking at you, wrestlers and other combat sports Olympians). Most people don't understand the amount of things you've had to give up just so you can compete for the glory of our nation, the respect from other competitors, the pride for yourself.
You belong here, never doubt that. But more importantly, it's all about you. As Theodore Roosevelt once said,
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
No matter what the media says, no matter what your family and friends say, and no matter what the rest of the world says, what happens in each of your selected arenas is between you and only you. It is better to go boldly and fail than act timidly and know neither "victory nor defeat." We believe in you.
No matter what happens, you have an entire nation backing you up. We support Team USA in their victories and their defeats. You guys are our heroes. Every four years we get to sit in awe and watch you go for gold, giving your all. This isn't about the money; this is about something much bigger. This is a chance for you to represent our great nation. This is a chance for glory. This is a chance to have fun (what's more fun than kicking butt?).
As you compete, just remember we as a nation are so proud of you. Win, lose or draw, you guys are our heroes. Thank you for everything you've done and thank you for all that you will do. Now go out there and do your best and do us proud. Good luck.
P.S.
Water, water, water; drink plenty of water. Stay hydrated my friends. Be safe and remember to have fun. Thank you again and good luck.
