What is an Olympian?

You could say that an Olympian is a competitor in the Olympic Games, but this is too simple a definition.

The word Olympian is derived from Greek mythology and is related to both Mount Olympus and Olympia where the classical Greek gods lived so you might say that an Olympian is godlike.

Of course, they are not gods or possess any godlike qualities; an Olympian is an extraordinary human being who through all manner of obstacles and adverse conditions uses their god-given abilities to achieve a goal that has only been achieved by a relatively few people in the world.

The opportunity to compete at the highest level of your sport, for your country, in front of the entire world comes only once in a lifetime for many. It is for many athletes the Holy Grail that defines their very being and for others a passing moment in time while on their way to even greater feats.

An Olympian is the top of an iceberg that has at its base the support of parents, friends, and colleagues and the direction of a coach. When an athlete reaches the Olympic Games they carry a complete history of sacrifice and dedication that may be unfathomable to others but is absolutely necessary in order to reach this level.

What is an Olympian? It is a little boy and girl who look at the television screen, while the Olympic Games are on, with a sparkle in their eye and say I would like to do that.

An Olympian is not just a person it is an idea. To strive to be the best that you can be at a particular craft is what an Olympian is and does.