Focus & Perspective: Giving back

Focus & Perspective is a weekly editorial highlighting the behind-the-scenes struggles, dedication and insight of the elite amateur athlete experience. Focus & Perspective is written by Judo athlete Anna Palmer who is training for the London 2012 Games. She competes in the 2010 National Judo Championships this weekend in Myrtle Beach, SC. Follow her results here at TeamUSA.org.

“Inspire by example.” 

This was written on (a large graphic) the cover of the program pamphlet for the 2010 Pikes Peak Regional Volunteer Day Awards Luncheon, which was held at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center (OTC) complex this past Tuesday. The event was hosted by the Center for Nonprofit Excellence, Pikes Peak United Way, and DOVIA. The USOC was represented by a handful of athletes as well as staff members.  

Along with myself, fellow judo athlete and now OTC Team assistant coach Ryan Reser (2008 Olympian), 2008 Paralympian Swimmer Ileana Rodriguez, and 2008 Track & Field Olympian and team flag bearer Lopez Lomong, joined other members of the USOC staff team at our sponsored table.

We were there to represent the USOC and OTC in the community of Colorado Springs and to honor the outstanding volunteers of the Pikes Peak Region. It was an entertaining presentation and sounded like they had one of the largest turnouts so far for the annual awards luncheon. 

During the presentation, there were various references to the parallel between the achievements of our Nation’s athletes and the achievements of our Nation’s volunteers. Later Jane Leighty Justis of The Leighty Foundation, one of the speakers, reflected on the 2008 Beijing Olympic Highlight video that was shown to the audience prior to Lomong welcoming the guests on stage.

“It was great to watch that inspirational footage," Leighty Justis said. "The OTC is such an appropriate setting... being here reminds us of the achievements of Athletes as well as the achievements of our volunteers; its about teams joining together to achieve together... and engendering hope and lifting spirits.” 

Following her remarks more individuals were recognized with awards. 

Listening to the accomplishments and selfless generosity of all the volunteers nominated and recognized was motivating as an athlete. It made me think about how one of the reasons us athletes train and compete in our sports, is to inspire others. Not only that, but many give back to their sport and the community. 

I jumped up to make sure I snapped a few pictures of the 1952 Nordic Combine Winter Olympian. 

Speaking to him after the event was a great pleasure. He is a kind man who radiates a contagious warmth that spreads the feeling that he wants to see everyone he meets do great things. 

He made sure to wish us athletes all good luck, and really he meant it.

Later I looked up his bio. The information I found was quite impressive and compelling. Apart from being a well-rounded, talented athlete, and being inducted into the Colorado Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame, he clearly gives back to the community.

According to the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame, "Paul worked as a full-time instructor at Vail/Broadmoor Ski Area in Colorado Springs, where he showed genuine interest in his students and their success...He spent more time with his students than any other instructor, out of love for the sport." 

Another accomplished athlete giving back is Ryan Reser. I asked Coach Reser why he volunteers to mentor our Olympic and Paralympic hopeful judo team at the OTC, and why it is important as an Olympian to give back.

 “Giving back is part of the whole process of growing as an athlete and as a person,” he said. “Personally, growing up I benefited from those volunteering and giving their time to me, so I know how important it is to give back to those in the community.” 

Many successful athletes become coaches in their sports.  Some of the sports at the OTC have youth programs where the Olympians, Paralympians, and hopefuls voluntarily coach as well. 

The athletes of the OTC Judo Team are required to help with the junior club as well as other community judo programs. This benefits both the youth learning and the athletes teaching. When you reach such a high level of sport, breaking down the fundamentals periodically can be valuable reminders.

While in the heat of training, I am not always aware of the power I have to make a difference in the lives of others around me and the up and coming athletes. 

Having a talent or specific skill set that you enjoy makes it easy to take a little extra time to try to inspire others around you. It is fun to watch others grow from what you share with them.

There is so much more to being an Olympian, or elite athlete, than just training your butt off to be the best in your sport. It is a holistic approach to bettering the culture of sport in the community. 

Leighty Justis touched on the idea of philanthropy at the volunteer’s luncheon: it is the desire to promote the welfare of others, “it is giving back what you have taken out, and perhaps a smidgen more.”

I feel that many Olympians and Paralympians strive to be philanthropists in the end. With all the helping hands, and funding, we rely upon to help us reach the top of the podium, we recognize that we need to be that helping hand to others.