The Spirit of the Olympics

 

Erin Jackson, 10, and Brittany Bowe, 14, met when they joined the same inline skating club in Ocala, Florida.  Now 29 and 33, they continue to be skating competitors and friends.  Both women have been training for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.  On Friday, Jackson had an unexpected bobble in her qualifying race and came in third place, behind Bowe and Kimi Goetz.  Since only two women can be guaranteed a spot, that meant Jackson would not be competing in the 2022 Olympics.  With reallocation from other countries, there might be a possibility the US could have three women compete in the 500m, but since Jackson did not qualify to be on the team, the third participant would not be an option for her.

Bowe qualified for three speed skating events for the 2022 Olympics, the 1500m, 1000m, and 500m.  On Sunday, Brittany called Erin and then notified the US Speedskating authorities that she was giving her spot in the 500m to Erin, who is currently the number 1 ranked skater in the event.  Even if the US does not have the opportunity to have three athletes for the 500m, Bowe knew it was the right decision.  “In my heart there was never a question that I would do whatever it took if it came down to me to get Erin to skate the Olympics.  It’s just the spirit of the Olympics and being a great teammate.  And yes, it’s bigger than just me.  It’s Team USA.  Erin has a shot to bring home a medal, hopefully a gold medal, and it’s my honor to give her that opportunity.”

 

Because of Bowe’s expression of sportsmanship, Jackson will be able to compete in the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, an opportunity she thought was lost.  Erin stated, “Just for her to do something like this for me, it’s amazing.  I’m just incredibly grateful.  I’m really humbled, and she’s an amazing person.  That makes it 1o times more awesome going into Beijing.  Going into it, no matter what, I’ve got my eyes on the top spot, but this just makes it so much sweeter that I was kind of given this gift from a very close friend of mine.  It would be awesome for both of us to be able to stand at the top of the podium in our races and share that moment.”

And with the help and prompting of God’s Spirit, may we, too, look for opportunities to bless, encourage and make a difference for others.

 

Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Luke 6:31

 

Do everything in love.

1 Corinthians 16:14

 

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians 2:3-4