5 Things You Can Learn from the 2014 Winter Olympic Athletes

Posted on February 7, 2014 by Mary Knight

Every year as the Olympics approach, I often find myself wondering what makes these athletes so exceptional. So, as the 2014 Winter Olympics begin, I decided to dive into their stories to find out not only why they are so extraordinary, but also what I could learn from them.

1. Have the Vision
 David Wise will be heading to Sochi this year to compete in the Free Skiing Half Pipe, a new event for the 2014 Winter Olympics. He started skiing at the age of three and when he was thirteen years old, started training for the Olympics, in an event that didn’t even exist yet! Even at a young age, David Wise had perspective and never lost sight of his dream. “When I first won the X Games, I wrote on my jacket ’embrace the opportunity,’ with a paint marker so that I would remind myself every time before I dropped in.” Even now as David heads to Sochi with the hopes and the vision of Gold he still maintains a humble belief that “It’s not about winning or losing or what people think of you. It’s about going out and doing what you love to do, your art.
2. Carve Your Own Path
 Shani Davis, a Speed Skater, holds five Olympic Gold Medals, though you probably are not familiar with his story. In the past, he’s made the decision to stay out of the light of the media. Saying “I only seek attention from skating fast.” He’s known for turning down interviews, refusing to take sponsorships, and even going as far as serving as his own coach. He devises his own training schedule and race strategies. From dealing with the ever pressing media or racing on the ice, Davis has found that carving his own path leads to great success. He says “Any time I step out on the ice and I put my hood on, I have something to prove.” Now heading into Sochi, Shani hopes to be the first male Speed Skater to win three straight Gold’s.
3. Follow Your Instincts
 Stephen Holcomb is a driver for the US four-man Bobsled Team. For years, he lived with an eye degenerative disorder, which was emotionally and physically damaging and left him nearly blind. For a while, he often navigated the treacherous course by feel rather than by sight. Eventually, he was told he wouldn’t be able to compete any longer. Fortunately he found a doctor who performed a brand new procedure, correcting his vision. As he started to compete again, he found his 20/20 vision led him to drive more by sight and less by instinct; this was detrimental to his race. One day after training Holcomb, noticed a thin layer of condensation had formed on his visor, instead of wiping it off, he found that it obscured his vision just enough to force him to rely on his instincts.. Two years later he would lead the US Team to the Olympic Gold in Vancouver. “Going from the lowest of the lows to highest of the highs,it was such a surreal moment.” Now he will be back in Sochi, with his instincts in tact and with his team in hopes of defending the Olympic Gold.
4. If it’s Not Working, Start Over
 Ashley Wagner, a Figure Skater, had a disheartening performance at the US National Championships last month, coming in fourth place after two falls on the ice. However she still found herself placed on the US Olympic team. As the decision incorporates a skater’s full body of work, the judges took into account that she is the two-time national champion of 2012 and 2013, as well as holding various other titles.  After the performance, she decided to scrap her routine, something unheard of with the Olympics a short month away. However Ashley knew the routine she performed at the National Championship in January wasn’t going to cut it. So she scrapped it, and started over. “It’s insane. Absolutely insane.” Wagner says. She heads to Sochi with a new long program and her head held high. “I am in this to be something,” she says.

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5. Stay Focused
 Mikaela Shiffrin, the young alpine skier, has suddenly found herself at the top. “Probably the moment I realized this could be something real and maybe long term was last year, when I won my first World Cup race,” Shiffrin said. “I was skiing among the fastest girls in the world and being able to come out on top is a pretty amazing feeling.” As she heads to Sochi, she is trying to stay focused. The harping media and sponsorships requests are quite distracting to her. “It’s tough, especially at 18 years old,” Shiffrin says. “I have a lot going on, and I need to focus on ski racing.” Shiffrin is a great competitor and as she focuses on Gold she is guarantied to be a great watch, hopefully making it all the way to the top!