| " Champions aren't made in the gyms. Champions are | | | | means give it all you GOT and SOME. |
| made from something they have deep inside | | | | The CHAMP and the CHUMP |
| them¾a desire, a dream, a vision."-Muhammad | | | | Let me compare a few qualities of these two |
| Ali | | | | characters famously made by San Jose State |
| I haven't been an avid watcher of the 2008 Olympic | | | | College's sprint coach Bud Winter, in his book titled " So |
| Games but the swim matches have caught my | | | | You Want To Be A Sprinter". |
| attention a little. Much as of the hype has been on | | | | The "CHAMP" has the WILL TO SUCCEED. |
| twenty-three year old Michael Phelps' 8th gold medal | | | | · Follows a goal oriented training plan. |
| history making wins, who was diagnosed as a child | | | | · Accepts pregame nerves but keeps anxiety |
| with ADD (attention deficient disorder), according to a | | | | and worry to a minimum. |
| recent interview on Good Morning America with his | | | | · Focuses on personal goals without letting |
| mother. Most of these athlete's have a mountain | | | | distractions of what others are saying or doing. |
| moving story of obstacles they had to overcome to | | | | · Shows poise and courage in a crisis. |
| reach their goals. | | | | The "CHUMP" has the WILL TO FAIL. |
| Take for instance Dara Torres, whom the media | | | | · Fails to prepare themselves/and or |
| keeps repeatedly emphasizing that she is forty-old | | | | equipment properly for competition. |
| years old, the oldest swimmer to compete and qualify | | | | · Gets injured or ill regularly especially just prior |
| for the Games. I loved it when she made the | | | | to the competition. |
| statement, "the water doesn't know how old you are". | | | | · Expects times to "just come" or come easily |
| Torres had to have surgery to remove a bone spur | | | | because " I've been doing the training. |
| that caused a partial rotator tear in her right shoulder. | | | | · Never trains or practice drills unless the |
| Although she had to miss four weeks of training, it | | | | conditions are perfect. |
| was said that she didn't miss a beat during the Olympic | | | | Choose which character you want to emulate as you |
| trials. | | | | go after whatever it is you desire. Should you decide |
| A true Champion is defined as a valiant fighter, who | | | | to be a gold medal winner, take note of their body |
| understands the Universal Law of Cause and Effect. | | | | language: feet firmly planted, body erect, shoulders |
| This law generally means that you reap what you sow | | | | back, head up, smiling, eyes aglow and one or both |
| by putting in time, energy, and effort over and over | | | | arms thrust triumphantly in the air. Now is not the time |
| again until you inevitably enjoy the results and rewards. | | | | to look timid. Go for the Gold...Act like a Gold Medal |
| It doesn't come with a disclaimer: give up at the first | | | | Champion. |
| sign of injury, disappointment, defeat, fear. It simply | | | | |