Olympic lessons

He Watches. He Learns.

By Rick Horowitz

From this day forward, I stick my landings.

There will be no big steps, or even small steps, on my landings. And certainly no hops. From now on, where I land is where I stand.

I will never lose my grip. Even if it means putting a pound of powder on my hands, and on everything I expect to touch, I will never lose my grip -- except when I have to demonstrate my release skills. Then I will loosen my grip, but only temporarily, and it will be deliberate, and the judges will know the difference.

I will have a great feel for the wall. Even when my goggles fill with water and my vision is clouded, I will have a great feel for the wall. Almost a sixth sense.

I will constantly show the kind of competitor I am.

My actions will make statements.

I will never sit down on the horse.

I will not touch the net, or step outside the lines, or allow my concentration to falter, not even for a moment.

I will remain vigilant against needless deductions, and recognize that in all I do, every tenth counts.

I will put the ball in play.

To ease my path through life's roughest patches, I will wear clothing without seams.

I will maintain my positions for at least two seconds.

I will live by the credo that the last impression is the lasting impression.

If obliged to bear a country's dreams on my young shoulders, I will not complain. Even when the burden on my young shoulders must be unbelievable, I will stay focused on the task at hand.

I will make my country proud.

I will have a warm-down routine.

I won't bend my elbows.

From this day forward, I will try to be perfectly synchronized with someone. Our movements will be identical, and as we reach our target, we will avoid over-rotating. Neither will we make a splash.

I will understand both the risks and the rewards of a high start value, and I will seek to achieve a sustainable balance between the two.

I will prepare myself to walk through doors that suddenly open to me.

I will keep my feet together. (But not while I'm walking through doors.)

I will rise to the occasion.

I will turn it up a notch.

I will be back with more, right after this.

Posted 8/16/08. Get medal-worthy commentary right here at "Rick's"! And for Rick on video, check out www.youtube.com/yesrick.

Rick Horowitz is a syndicated columnist, TV commentator, writing coach and public speaker.

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