The story of Canadian Olympian and Paralympian Brian McKeever has touch many during the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver. He was the first ever to qualify for both the Olympic games and Paralympic games, but at the last minute, the Olympic skiing couch decided that Brian has a smaller chance in winning than his teammates, so he did not get to race.
If you were Brian's friend, what would you do when he found out he couldn't race in the Olympic games? You knew that his Paralympic games would take place 2 weeks after the Olympics.
Anyone have any comments on this?
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking number one goal is to make sure that you do what is best for your friend. This includes helping him focus on his paralympics. Other than that, as a friend it would be best to support and comfort him.
If he really wants you to, you could help him try to understand where the coach is coming from.
Any other thoughts?
I think I am gonna go in the same direction. The most important thing is trying to encourage him not to let the situation take a way his focus from what lies ahead. Since there is nothing that can be done to get him back into the olympic race, the only option as his friend will be to help him maintain his confidence and focus for the paralympics.
DeleteI agree.I would empathize with my friend's situation and I would allow him to express his feeling and I would listen to him attentively. I would then tell him that he is a great player and he should understand that it isn't the end of his life; there is always another opportunity and that he should be strong in keeping his goals. And that he should control his emotions since he won't establish anything and instead it can ruin his paralymipcs. Also, I would tell him that my support would always be with him so that he doesn't feel lonely
ReplyDeleteI think I would listen to him as friend. If he felt he wanted to race, despite the fact he may not win., I would want to support him because no one should be prevented from doing what the want to do. Failure makes you strong and makes you work harder. However, if he can not take failure, the coach would have probably made the right decision. I would then try to talk to my friend about focussing on the bigger picture. To have a rest, to get ready for the forthcoming Paralympics, plus he had already achieved so much and be content with that.... It is something not many can achieve.
ReplyDeleteIn this situation I act as Brian Mckeever's friend, the first dual olympian and paralympian who has just been cut from attending his olympic race.
ReplyDeleteMy fist objective is to try to see how he his feeling about that. It would be wrong to just jump to conclusions that he is devastated and emotionally compromised for his paralympic race. He might be okay with the decision because the athletic competition is a meritocracy and he could respect this decision.
I would ask him questions how do you feel?
Are you happy to go cheer and watch your teammate?
If he is very devastated I would ask him more questions. Have you talked to your coach? Did you think this decision was warranted? Did you coach handle this optimally or respectfully? Is this a common concurrence when skiers are at the same level?
I would not try to empathize that I know how he feels or assume I know how he feels. I would remind him that he had done a great job, and offer him support if he needs such as preparing for his paralympic race. Honestly it really depends on how he is feeling. As a friend you have to ask empathetically and help him separate the sense of loss from what was out of his control.
First I would try and console Brian and ask how he feels about the coach’s decision. If he’s sad about the not competing in the Olympics or doesn’t feel “good enough” I would remind him that he is still a very talented athlete as he qualified for both the Olympics and Paralympics. I would also tell him to not take the coaches decision personally has the coach feels he is doing what’s best for medalling for Canada. There’s also a chance competing in the Olympics may be detrimental to his performance in the Paralympics as he may be tired from the Olympics.
ReplyDeleteInstead of thinking about not skiing in the Olympics, I would ask Brian to focus his efforts on the Paralympic games that are happening in two weeks. Competing in the Olympics is beyond Bryans control but winning in the Paralympics is still something he has control over. I would tell Brian to focus on the task at hand and not think about decisions that are beyond his control.