Today’s Affirmation:
“Determination. I push my limits and I achieve great things.” (hear it)
Even American swimming commentator Rowdy Gaines said they wouldn’t do it. “I’ve put this down on paper a million times,” said Gaines before the race, “and I just can’t see how they win it.” Fortunately, the USA Men’s 4 X 100 freestyle relay swimming team wasn’t listening to Gaines or their French counterparts.
Alain Bernard the french anchor swimmer – and world record holder in the 100 meter freestyle – previously told a reporter that the favored French team would “smash” the Americans. In the end, it was Bernard whose anchor leg could have backed up his promise. Instead, veteran US swimmer Jason Lezak swam the fastest split in event history to chase down the Frenchman and claim gold for the Americans.
The victory returned Team USA to the top of relay swimming’s glamor event after two consecutive Olympic losses to Ian Thorpe and the Australians. The win kept alive Michael Phelps’ dream of claiming eight medals in a single Olympics. The victory also marked the first time an African American swimmer has claimed gold at the Olympics, as Cullen Jones joined teammates Lezak, Phelps, and Garrett Weber-Gale in world-record time of 3 minutes 8.24 seconds.
Watch the video:
NBC Video of Mens’ 4 x 100 Meter Freestyle
Amid the celebration of this great triumph is a reminder for us all. The experts and other people may not give you a chance. Yet, we always have the choice to give the performance of our lives when it matters and prove them all wrong. The power of your belief combined with your desire to reach a goal are an unstoppable combination.
Stay inspired this Monday and never give up!
Ray
www.theaffirmationspot.com offers downloadable mp3 affirmations for nearly every area of life – sports, sales, wealth and prosperity, health and fitness – to name just a few. Our library is growing all the time. Remember your fifth affirmation on each order is always free.
August 11, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Great race. I got to see it “live” and what an ending! What joy at the end! I bet if everyone felt that after every major goal, it would be awesome! I totally agree, to not listen to the critics, naysayers and prediction makers..”It ain’t over till it’s over” That says it all! Great post!
August 11, 2008 at 11:05 pm
It makes it even better when the French were talking the smack – It was a great race to watch.
August 11, 2008 at 11:11 pm
Inspiredminds,
Thank you for taking a moment to comment. I know how I felt after their major goal and that was awesome. It really demonstrated the power of sports to touch something deep inside of us.
One reason I love the Olympics is that it has one of the greatest concentration of people pursuing their dreams that you will find anywhere.
August 11, 2008 at 11:13 pm
guacamoby,
Yes. I guess Mr. Bernard learned a valuable life lesson yesterday and one he could have easily learned by watching what has happened to so many other people who choose to brag publicly instead of prepare privately.
Pride before the fall, as they say.
August 12, 2008 at 12:00 am
[...] USA Men’s 4 X 100 Relay Team Overcomes – The Affirmation Spot for Monday August 11, 2008 [image]Even American swimming commentator Rowdy Gaines said they wouldn’t do it. “I’ve put this down [...] [...]
August 17, 2008 at 5:13 am
[...] the second time in these Olympics, Jason Lezak anchored the team and brought home the gold. This time holding off a [...]