Have you heard…the Olympics are happening?! I kid…because even if you haven’t seen any of the televised events, I’m sure you’ve heard about it from your friends, the news or on social media.
It’s so fun to see the amazingly talented athletes give it their all in the sport of choice. You can tell they have put the work in. They’ve made so many sacrifices to follow their dreams, as have the parents and families, many of whom are there in the audience supporting these talented athletes. It truly does take a village to accomplish making it to the Olympics.
The Olympic Spirit
But what I find even more exciting and heartwarming to watch is what happens off the mat/track/pool. I love seeing the interactions the athletes have with their teammates AND with their competitors from other countries.
Yes, they are all going for the same goal…winning an Olympic gold medal. However, only 1 person in each event can win that. Many more athletes won’t. But seeing them support each other with high fives, hugs, smiles is just so great to see.
Most notably, the now famous photo of our 2 US gymnasts, Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles bowing down to the gold medal winner Rebeca Andrade from Brazil. THAT is what we need to see more of in the world on the daily basis.
The Importance of Sportsmanship at Liberty Dance Center
We try to teach and model that type of sportsmanship at Liberty Dance Center. Our LDC teaching team is an amazing example and we hope the students (and parents) see that. We genuinely support each other. You will often overhear during show week comments such as, “wow that was a really cool move,” “I love this song, you always find such unique music,” “I love the staging you use, so creative.”
At Liberty Dance Center we do have a competition team and they are really talented! Each season they attend 4 competitions and earn many special judges awards as well as overall high scores.
While we display their trophies the week after, only one stays out at the front desk always. The sportsmanship award. We have won it twice in the past 5 or so years and I always tell the little dancers that stop at the front desk with stars in their eyes that THAT is the trophy we are most proud of, and honestly always will be.
Our dancers (and teachers) earned that by being the people that show support and respect to each other, to other studios, to the backstage staff and their teachers and families. It may not be an official Olympic gold but it’s just as important to us.
How can you show sportsmanship in your daily life?
Imagine if we all did just a little bit more each day…the world would be an even more beautiful place.
