What the Olympics can teach us about excellence

Excellence is not perfection or winning at all costs. It is a deeply satisfying process of becoming the best performer — and person — you can be.

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August 12, 2024 - 1:58 PM

Perhaps the most iconic image from these Olympic Games was when U.S. gymnasts Simone Biles, left, and Jordan Chiles, right, bow as gold medalist Rebeca Andrade of Brazil steps onto the podium for the individual floor medal ceremony. (Naomi Baker/Getty Images/TNS)

We are drawn to stories of individuals who not only embody the pursuit of excellence, but also have humility.

Think of the American gymnast Simone Biles, who worked through mental health issues that kept her mostly sidelined at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and went on to win three gold medals at the Paris Games. Perhaps the most iconic image from these Games occurred after one of the few gymnastics events she didn’t completely dominate, the individual floor competition. At the awards ceremony, Biles, who earned silver, and her teammate Jordan Chiles, who took bronze, bowed to show…

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