Level 7 – Olympic Rings

We have come to the top of the pyramid in our The Taxonomy of Competition . We have noted that there are fewer and fewer participants as we go up the levels - forming a natural pyramid. Participants leave sports and follow other interests or they drop out of the competition or they are “cut”. What we have left at the top is the elite; the best of the best, the Olympians - Winter and Summer. There are the individual elite athletes; swimmers, golfers, tennis players, pole vaulters, ski jumpers, marathon runners, etc. Then there are the elite teams; volleyball, soccer, polo, basketball, rugby, water polo, etc. There are some sports that have both individual and team competition , such as gymnastics.

Status of Individual: The Performer – The Player – The Person

Structure of Games/Sports Activities Format: Olympic Games and International Competitions. 

Entity Involved: Country, Team, Sport Federation.

Relationship with teammates & opponents: Playing with and for your teammates. Playing for your country and against your opponents.

People Involved: Country/Nation, Coaches, Teammates, Agents, Management, Media, Officials, Family, Friends, Fans, Trolls, and Community.

Competition Status: Permanent and Enduring

External Recognition: Gold Medals, Trophies, Legacy.

Application of appropriate skill & strategy: Acquisition of skill and strategy ‘essential’  and accompanied by ‘privilege to execute’ in the pressure of ‘a fleeting’ moment on the world stage.

In most sports, competing at the Olympic or International Level is the pinnacle level of competition. Only the very best athletes in their chosen sport are selected to represent their country.

Olympic and International Level competitions occur periodically to celebrate the beauty and challenge of sport. They are the zenith of athletic competition.Representing your entire country, your family, your team, and yourself. Competing at a brief moment in time for a lasting and enduring legacy.

While at the peak of the competition, many of the factors and elements of competition remain. Playing with and for your teammates. Learning and applying new skills and strategies to a more complex environment. Managing and balancing the external pressures while striving to find joy in the moment.

 Irrespective of the Level, the Joy of playing the Game must be present.

This joy we take with us for the rest of our lives. Not everyone can become a member of the Hall of Fame. But we can fall in love with our games. Our joy can fulfill a lifetime of passion with our sport. This is a passion that we will share and pass onto others.

“Sports creates a bond between contemporaries that lasts a lifetime. It also gives your life structure, discipline and a genuine, sincere, pure fulfillment that few other areas of endeavor provide.” - Bob Cousy