Imagine this.: you’re24, strong from your training for Olympic swimming events and excited about the Olympic Trials in one week. You go to your doctor’s office and think everything is going to be fine because you’re strong as a horse right now. Then the doctor comes in with a sad frown on his face and tells you that you have cancer.
At that moment, I think anyone who decides to keep on swimming has the kind of guts that make sports beautiful. In fact, that is exactly what American swimmer Eric Shanteau decided to do after he was diagnosed with testicular cancer.
Eric found out that he had cancer one week before he was supposed to try and qualify for the Olympics in the 200-meter breaststroke. If I’d been him, I’d have thought about going home and beginning the long recover process ahead. Not Eric however. He found out the cancer isn’t going to spread and focused on the Trials in
At the trials, Eric surged past the race’s favorite and into second place. He made it and he says he’ll put off his treatment for a few months to compete in the Olympics for his country.
I think Eric’s mental toughness is something everyone should try to have. He didn’t give up when he was in a tough spot. Instead, he put any negative energy he might have had into doing his best to achieve his dream. Then, when he was successful, he didn’t just sit around and celebrate. He’s chosen to work even harder to make sure this opportunity is worth it. Eric’s ability to work hard is what I think separates him as one of the greatest athletes in the Games, no matter what the final results.
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