In a phenomenal finish, American Michael Phelps, tipped Serbia’s Milorad Cavic to the Olympic 100m butterfly gold medal. It was a race Phelps had no right to win. Cavic was a certain winner, right until the very last stroke. Then, the powerful will of Phelps, proved too much for the Serb.
Phelps, did what all sporting greats, manage to do, in times of adversity. He found a way to win. Champions like Phelps, have a reservoir of positive successful memories to tap into. Memories that drive them. Inspires them. Builds irrevocable belief. You might not know how you will win. But you will find a way to win.
Its a powerful cocktail of sustained success allied to motivation. In Phelps case, this was a boy who was bullied and taunted in his younger days. And there is nothing more powerful a motivating force, than the desire to prove people wrong. Rub their provocative taunts back down their throats. The greater the hurt, the more powerful the desire.
Milorad Cavic should not be too hard on himself, for failing to beat Michael Phelps. Cavic was racing for a gold medal. The American was racing for a place in the sporting history books. Fuelled by such a powerful desire, his force of will was simply too great. That is the stuff, an Olympic champion is made of.