The Power of Support
The Paris Olympics have come to a close.
Aside from the sport I used to play (basketball), I watched several events as a casual fan, even without knowing the rules in detail.
It was interesting, moving, joyful, and frustrating. I have countless thoughts about watching the Olympics, but since it would be too long to write everything down, I will focus this time on the theme of "support."
Is it true that "we won thanks to the support"?
A phrase often heard in interviews with athletes, including those at the Olympics, is"We were able to win thanks to everyone's support!"isn't it?
Is this phrase, which everyone uses, truly spoken from the heart? Or is it used as a kind of template?
To conclude,I believe it is truly spoken from the heart.As someone who was a basketball player until two years ago, I understand this well: the power of support is truly immense.
During my active career, I once achieved a major record of 30 consecutive home wins (out of 60 games in a season). I remember feeling strongly at that time thatsupport has incredible power.I felt that this result was only possible because we were at home, where we could feel that support close by.
Games decided by a single point. Defensive calls in the final moments. The surge of emotion. Being able to take that extra step. There were many games thatwe won through the power of support.in that way.
I used the home game example because it is easy to understand, but there are people who travel to support us even in away games, and it is the same whether we win or lose, or whether they are watching through a screen or on social media.
I feel thatthe fact that "there are people supporting me" always pushed me forward.
The power of support felt during matches without spectators
The time I felt this most strongly was duringthe matches without spectators I experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.I remember it felt somewhat like a practice game, and it was difficult to get motivated.
The "people who support us" who should always be there were missing. Just that alone made me feel an immense sense of emptiness. Even though nothing changed about the fact that "there is an opponent and we are playing a match," I was surprised athow different the feeling was just because there were no spectators.
It was an event that made me realize once again the magnitude of the power of support.
In truth, I should have realized this without having to experience such a thing, but important things are always realized only after they are lost...
Being supported
Now, I think that athletes and musicians are very fortunate professions in the sense that they can "directly hear the voices of the people who support them."
Generally, in other jobs, it is rare to be told directly, "I am supporting you." Using or buying the products or services one is involved with might be a form of support, but people rarely say "I am supporting you" directly.
I realize now that I was in an incredibly blessed environment. This was also one of the things I only realized after retiring from my active career.
Delivering words of support
Now that I have left the sports world, I rarely experience the "support" that was once a matter of course. It was an Olympics that made me think again about that"power of support."
It might be difficult to be supported on a daily basis like an Olympic athlete, but I believe that
delivering words of support is something you can do if you are just conscious of it. Support becomes power.
From now on, even for small things, when I encounter things or people I want to see do their best, I will actively support them.
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