Medal Hunt

Just like a significant portion of the rest of the world, I watched the spectacle that was the 2008 Beijing Olympics. And just like everybody else, I watched in sheer amazement as swimmer-extraordinaire Michael Phelps blew by the rest of the field and set one world record after another. I’m sure as the years pass I will always remember 2008 as the Olympics year that Michael Phelps won 8 gold medals; but most of the specifics will be lost in my memory. However, one specific moment will not. The epoch in time from when Jason Lezak made the turn for the final 50 meters of the 4x100m freestyle relay to the instant he touched the wall just 0.08 seconds ahead of France’s Alain Bernard will be burned in my memory banks forever. These 46 seconds of history will rank right up there on my All Time Greatest Moments in Sports History list along with the USA Olympic Hockey team’s gold medal in 1980. The individual effort put forth by Jason Lezak to break his personal best by 1.5 seconds and at the same time overtake the current world record holder was truly a feat that defied logic. It was a team effort. Each swimmer that preceded Jason, including Michael, had to do just exactly what they did for the team to win that Gold. Anything less and all four of them would have been standing to the right of and one step lower than the French team on the medal stand.

It irritated me to no end to hear the media ask the US team questions after the race and in the days that followed like, “So what does it feel like to help Michael Phelps break the record of 7 gold medals in one Olympics?” That race was not about Michael Phelps. It was about a team doing things together that they never could have individually. When asked what the greatest moment was in his quest for 8 gold medals, Michael Phelps didn’t hesitate to identify the 4x100m relay. Although, individual athletic accomplishments can also be rewarding and inspiring, nothing can match the feeling and reward of a well-fought team effort. The Bible agrees.

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work; if one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. (Ecc 4:9-12)

I enjoyed watching Michael Phelps accomplish the seemingly impossible. I do hope, however, that the team effort accomplished by the US Men’s 4x100m freestyle relay team will not be lost in the pages of history.