Public Spark

Team work

Individual talent doesn’t count in team sports if there is no cohesiveness. The 2004 Olympics was a disaster for Team USA basketball team, despite having many talented NBA players on the court. This year’s team USA is quite different as Coach Mike Krzyzewski chose a group that showed their strength in the 101-70 opening game with China. A successful team has players that complement each other rather than selflessly exhibiting their own talents. If there is no team dynamic that team will not be on the podium.

Rewards come with hard work

I was mesmerized by China’s opening ceremony. Everyone was synchronized and the sight was breathtaking. Each breath, each beat was choreographed to the minute detail and the result was an amazing performance. The ceremony was comprised of over 22,000 performances and took many hours of practicing. Some were believed to have begun practicing 13 months in advance. You could hardly believe that there were people under the woodwork and people playing the drums creating symbols with lights.

Great use of technology and imagination

The stage set up was dynamic and the director demonstrated great creativity. He utilized technology in an effective way. The giant globe scene had approximately 44,000 colored LED beads. There were people performing acrobatic dancing and running around the globe. Furthermore, there was a 147 meter by 22 meter LED screen, which is the largest in the world.

Value of finding inner solitude and peace

Whether it be swimmer Michael Phelps or gymnast Shawn Johnson, they have rituals to calm down before facing the extreme pressures of the Olympics. They listen to their iPods or self-talk themselves to help focus and motivate themselves toward the goal.

Never give up

All Olympics athletes never give up even when they can’t win the gold. Track and Field Gold Medalist Derek Redmond said, “Even if you do not come out the winner in the end, you can hold your head up high and know you did what most never do: finish what they start.”