A True Olympian

            In the midst of young, eager faces, her seasoned face stood out. When I first saw her, I wondered who she was and why she looked so old.  Only after watching her perform did I learn her story.

            Oksana Chusovitina, who represented Uzbekistan in 2016, earned her first Olympic medal in 1992 for the USSR before the current winners were even born. Her gold medal that year began a series of Olympic medals but the second one didn’t come until her fifth Olympics in 2008 when she won a silver for Germany.

            Her family moved to Germany for a time so her son could receive treatment for leukemia. Thankfully, it worked.

            As I watched the routines of world class gymnasts, occasionally Oksana was shown. Her performances didn’t measure up to the younger girls. But I observed something in her demeanor. There was a determination in her face and perseverance in her actions.

            For each event, she did her best and seemed to ignore the higher scores of her challengers. Never did she run crying from the gym or hang her head.

            For the vault, she attempted the Vault of Death, which only seven women have ever tried. Five have completed it successfully and she was one. However, her landing in the 2016 Games sent her sprawling. 

            Even though Oksana did not stand on the podium this year nor hear her country’s anthem, she was a winner. Her example of determination and perseverance, in spite of, increasing age, a son’s illness, changes in her country, and living in a foreign country, inspired me. She continues to move forward and do her best because she loves the sport.

            Okasana displayed what it means to be a true Olympian. Her tenacity and persistence earned her a special place of respect and honor.

            When obstacles come, my body hurts, and memories of the past try to block the future, I will remember the forty-one year old athlete who didn’t give up.