Many different nations from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe compete in the Olympics and take pride in their athletes and cheer them on to jump higher, run faster and do the very best that they possibly can. On the day of any particular event, entire countries want their athletes to be the very best in the competition.

What many of us do not realize or appreciate, is that in a small manner of speaking, the Olympic Games are just another day for the ones who strive to be champions. They did not become champions because of that one big event. They became champions as they went to the gym or to the track every day, sacrificing their time and energy in their pursuit of excellence. In other words, while we are cheering them on and expect their very best on the day the gold is on the line, they have been doing their very best day in and day out. They push themselves even when no one is there to cheer them on. They are not fueled so much by the hopes of a gold medal or the admiration of the fans. What drives champions is a passion for what they do and a deep desire to be the best they can be.

Another aspect of a champion that is usually overlooked is that in the beginning, the only qualification that they had that others did not was a dream and a burning desire to reach their goal. We all have in us the ability to be champions. It is up to each one of us to make the individual attempt to strive for excellence every single day. Once we make that commitment and try our best in everything we do, then we too become champions. World records are impressive, but their real meaning is not to reward an individual for his or her efforts, but to set the standard for all others to aspire to!