Editorial

Older athletes are an inspiration

Monday, August 18, 2008

We've enjoyed some great sleeping weather here in Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas, but a lot of us aren't taking advantage of it.

That's because we're staying up late to watch the Beijing Olympics. Most of us can overlook the lip-synching singer, the obviously underage Chinese girl gymnasts and other deceptions to feel the joy and pain of young athletes giving it their all.

Who hasn't wanted to shed a tear and give a hug to the disappointed teen who sees her dream of an Olympic medal slip away with a tiny slip or stumble? The insignia on a uniform means little at a time like that.

While we sympathize with many of the athletes because they are the age of our children or grandchildren, there have been several stories coming out of the Olympics that have been an encouragement to those who may have long ago given up athletic aspirations.

One is Oksana Chusovitina, 33, whose story is an inspiration far apart from her age. In case you missed the televised profile, Chusovitina has competed in five Olympics for three different nations, moving her family and career to Germany in order to get medical treatment for her young son, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

He obtained the treatment he needed, and Oksana went on to win the vault on Sunday.

Also on Sunday, Romanian runner Constantina Tomescu, 38, got ahead at the 25 kilometer mark and went on to win the Marathon in 2 hours, 26 minutes and 44 second.

Many people her age would require a week to run that far.

And it was heartwarming to watch Dara Torres hold up a race while a competitor changed out of one of those high-tech swimsuits that developed a tear. Dara went on to win three silver medals in her fifth Olympic games.

She's already debating with her coach, who is encouraging her to stay in training for her sixth games, when she will be 45.

Few of us ever aspire to be Olympic athletes, but these three and many others like them should be enough to make us realize that time doesn't have to have the final say when it comes to staying active.

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