The Olympic Games ended on August 8, wrapping up two weeks of some of the most spectacular and breath-taking feats of sporting prowess we have ever witnessed. The Olympics are a celebration of the sporting achievements of individuals who beat all odds to emerge triumphant. Each and every participant representing their country should be celebrated and applauded for the grit and determination they have displayed over the years to achieve excellence in their sport. They are all examples worth emulating and our prime minister, an athlete, commented that sports had taught him never to give up. He mentioned a video in which an Ethiopian-born runner representing the Netherlands, falls during a race, picks herself up, gathers her wits and resumes her effort. There are innumerable examples of athletes, who have fought the odds and used every ounce of will power they had to achieve perfection and excel at what they do.

The Pakistanis competing in the Olympics deserve to be applauded for representing their country on the global platform. Arshad Nadeem and Talha Talib came very close to winning a medal and made us really proud. They also made us realise that there are huge reserves of untapped talent and potential in the country. Despite the meagre resources available, and the lack of better training, these two still managed to prove that where there is a will, there is a way, and that self-belief, persistence and sheer hard work will always pay off.

We witnessed uninhibited displays of human emotion, empathy and some real sportsmanship this time around; it was touching. Simone Biles rooted for her teammates from the sidelines after her exit and showed that sports is not just about winning medals and grabbing the limelight but also team spirit and a willingness to work together to achieve a common objective. Nothing brings people together like sports, especially when they are working towards a common goal. There was another image of a British hockey player consoling an Indian player, who had broken down after losing the match. These images are lessons in human empathy, compassion and the ability to understand and relate to one another’s pain.

The pandemic has taken its toll on the emotional and psychological well-being of people, and athletes are no different. Most of them had been training tirelessly for the Olympics under extremely challenging circumstances and following punishing schedules and routines during the pandemic. What Biles suffered was referred to as the “twisties” and happens when the mind and body are not in sync, which is crucial in order to perform well. In the past, too, athletes have suffered from being unable to perform under pressure. They have to develop nerves of steel and a determination to remain in the present and focus on the task at hand.

What we missed were the huge crowds and packed stadiums rooting for their favourite teams and egging on the participants to do their best.

Mindfulness should be included in school curricula and athletes should be taught techniques to ground themselves in the present. A momentary lapse of concentration or the inability to focus can be a huge let down for both athletes and their fan base. Mental health and emotional well-being should be prioritised and techniques to develop emotional resilience should be practiced.

The Olympics were not as huge a crowd-puller as they have been in the previous years. A huge number of people did not tune in to watch the most prestigious sporting event of all time. What could be the reason? Well, the world is still grappling with the pandemic. The humongous, empty stadiums and the strict procedures being followed to ensure compliance with the SOPs also contributed to the low viewership ratings. It was a shame, really, because so much time, money, effort and energy had been invested in making these a successful event. The lack of interest was extremely discouraging. What we missed were the huge crowds and packed stadiums rooting for their favourite teams and egging on the participants to do their best. There were tears of despair and dejection, and some of joy and exultation. We saw images of individuals willing to fight against all odds to prove their mettle and refusing to let any kind of setbacks stand in their way.

Among other things, Olympic Games are a lesson in perseverance, determination and grit. They brings people together through shared experiences. We saw Neeraj Chopra of India and Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan embracing and congratulating each other. Boundaries and political differences did not deter the two from expressing their sentiments for each other.

Let us celebrate this event for the way it unites people of different countries and backgrounds and brings them under one roof. Winning laurels is only a small part of the game; the despair, triumph, victory, desolation and the heart-rending displays of empathy and compassion too make it a memorable and worthwhile experience.

The writer is an educationist and can be reached at gaiteeara@hotmail.com