Learning from Michael Phelps' defeat in the 200m Butterfly

This evening, I watched Michael Phelps finish second in the Olympic Final of the 200m Butterfly by the narrow margin of 0.05 seconds. For an athlete who has experienced some incredible highs in his career (including 8 gold-medals at the 2008 Games in Beijing), this race (within the context of what for him has heretofore probably been a sub-par Olympics) must be a tough one to swallow. And while it is nice to see some other faces winning top races from time-to-time, what Mr. Phelps experienced following that race is one from which we might learn.

It's rarely fun to fall short at something one sets out to do, or indeed fail to meet expectations we have set for ourselves. I know the feeling, though on a different stage. Coming into the Olympics as the current world-record holder and 2-time Olympic-champion in the 200m Butterfly, Michael Phelps was favored to win this race. That he didn't is a testament to how fragile "top of the world" can be; he missed his mark this time, and the world certainly took note.

 Yet I think we sell ourselves short if all we take from this event is the fact that someone other than the reigning champion had a great day. It shows that where there is opportunity, there is also possibility (as my old coach often said, "If you have a lane, you have a chance").

It also shows how tough it is to get knocked down by a narrow margin. I could almost feel Mr. Phelps' disappointment through the television; how do you bounce back from that? I think this question is relevant for most of us, since while we may never be Olympic athletes, most of us will experience the pain of defeat at some point. When it happens, how are we going to pick ourselves up and keep going?

The short answer (and one you often hear) is you just do. The real answer is far more complicated, and one which you never really get a chance to answer until it happens. I'm glad Mr. Phelps bounced back well in the relay later, but also thankful that by losing a big race in which he was heavily favored, provided us with a moment to reflect on what it's like to get knocked down and bounce back.

Good luck to all those competing in the Olympics this year, and as always,

Happy Tuesday, friends :)