Watching olympics athletes compete is so inspirational

Olympic athletes are the epitome of human self-discipline.
They are a testament to the power of one person's will.
And an inspiration to all of us who are struggling in life.

An entire life, dedicated to the pursuit and realisation of one dream - to win gold and become verified as the world's VERY BEST.

Just even being able to stand on the olympic stage is an amazing feat, for they would have to triumph over so many other people, just as dedicated and hardworking as they are, to get to this point.

I cannot begin to imagine the amount of blood, sweat and tears they have expended to get to where they are today. The pain they have endured, the sacrifices they have made, the time, money and effort they have invested, just to get a shot at realising their dream.

How do they do it?
How do they dedicate their entire everything to one goal, one dream?

What kind of mentality, what kind of heart, they must have, to be able to endure hours and hours of workouts, training, and practices just to shave one second off the clock? Just to land with their feet 1 inch closer? Just to make a smaller splash? Just to jump 1cm higher? Just to lift 1kg more? Just to twirl another revolution in the air? Just to achieve absolute perfection?

What kind of self-discipline they must have, to lead a strictly routinized lifestyle day in and day out? To follow a perfectly balanced diet, to adhere to a tight sleeping routine, to abstain from any indulgent substances or activities.

What kind of yearning, desire and resolve they must have, to be able to climb back up from the darkest, deepest pits of despair following defeat to clinch victory in the end?
These people must have overcome countless obstacles, endured innumerable tribulations, triumphed over insurmountable odds, to get to where they are today.

I cannot hope to understand the emotions they must've had to live with everyday - the fear, the despair, the doubt, the pain, the sorrow. There must've been so many times when they thought about just giving up, thought about quitting, because it just wasn't worth it anymore. Yet somehow, they managed to pick themselves back up, steel their resolve, and push on through.

It's all very easy for me to say that this isn't the way that i want to live my life, that that's not what i want out of life. But in the end, im only saying that because i dont have it in me to accomplish what they have accomplished. The problems that i face, the trials that i have to overcome, are NOTHING in comparison to what they must go through. I really have no right to say that something is just too hard, or cry about how i just dont have enough time, or complain that its just too damn tiring.

Look at what these athletes have gone through. I really should take a page out of their book.

I truly admire and respect each and every one of these athletes, for each of them are one of the very best in their field. One day, i hope to have even a fraction of their strength, discipline, resolve, and desire, so that i too can become one of the very best in what i love doing.