Today, Monday, January 9th, marks the next milestone in the buildup to the 2012 London Olympics. That’s because as of today, there is exactly 200 days until the Olympics officially begin on July 27th, 2012, and the swimming community is buzzing with the building excitement.
Most of us won’t be Olympians. For most of us, the 200 days is simply a countdown to an exciting TV event that we’ll watch from thousands of miles away. But the enthusiasm of swimming’s elite gives us a lesson that every one of us can take back to our pools.
I’ve cobbled together a short ode in honor of the occassion. Remember these thoughts as you prepare for whatever your big meet is, from rec-league to the world’s stage.
Today starts the countdown to the final exam
Don’t leave even an inch for regret
There is no such thing as a time machine in life
and no replacement for hard-work and sweat
It matters not your talent or natural gifts
Effort and desire will top them all
Winners jump and they fall
They fight and they brawl
They dig and they dive and they crawl
And there’s words that are uttered, the world around
By those who strive to be great
Remember that there’s never a time like the present
for tomorrow’s always one day too late
Get More SwimSwam with SwimSwam Magazine
SwimSwam Magazines are big, coming in at nearly a pound per issue. We provide you four massive print issues designed to sit on your coffee table like a piece of artwork. With your yearly subscription, you receive over 600 of pages of swimming’s highest quality print content, and another 5,330+ pages of digital issues, going back to the first issue produced.
I think it’s a great mantra for any sport. Natural talent will take you far, but it’s the hours spent in the pool/on the field that make the difference in the end. Effort and dedication are what makes champions.