Athletes an inspiration to all of us

The bad news is, many of your favorite shows may be off the air for the next few weeks.

The good news is, you'll have the chance to watch -- and read about -- the goings-on at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

From the youngest sledder to the most advanced hockey player, athletes have one main inspiration if not actual goal: becoming an Olympic Athlete.

Competition, whether among teams, team mates or individuals, is a major driving force in our society. Nothing drives us to strive toward excellence more than competition -- and nothing can do more to create results.

The Olympics is one of the best examples of positive competition, for the right reasons. Excellence in self-discipline, training and skill pays off with international glory, whether in the form of gold, silver or bronze medals, or simply the honor of representing our country in a worldwide stage.

We know of at least two local connections to the Olympics -- computer expert Toby Warren graduated from McCook High School and will help keep communications running at the games; and Cory Bruner, grandson of Pat and Howard Dold of McCook, is in charge of refrigeration for one of the ice runs.

But even if we know no one involved in the winter games, and have never personally touched a skate to the ice or a ski to the snow, all of us can draw inspiration from the efforts of the world's best athletes as they give it their all.