How Michael Phelps Won His Medals...

19                                                 How Michael Phelps Won His Medals….
Talking with a colleague the other day, I was reminded that the swimmer, Michael Phelps, won a total of 28 (twenty eight) Olympic medals.
However, the story my friend told me about Phelps’ application was what resonated more strongly.
At one stage, when he was in preparation for the contest, he declared that he was going to compete in eight events, his intention being to win eight medals.
Some journalist picked up on the statement, and responded by suggesting that Phelps was being optimistic. The journalist didn’t even say that he couldn’t do it, that it was way too ambitious, or that Phelps was being too sure of himself.
He suggested that it was very ambitious.
Phelps was incensed. He cut out the article, made numerous copies, and burned the content of the piece into his brain so that he knew every word, comma, syllable and nuance of it. He is said to have recited it before each event.
After the Olympics, when he was on his way home, with his eight medals, he was asked about talent, style, technique, and other elements of physical performance.
He agreed that these were very important, but, he added, what gave them their value was the will, determination, commitment and desire and spirit of the contestant.
Having the physical resources was paramount, he stated, but how he thought and felt was the driving force.
He could have been talking about any endeavor, could’t he?

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