Transcending Sports: A Different Kind of Champion
by Jim Varey
My brother, Steven, swims in the Men’s 50m Freestyle at the Special Olympics. Let me tell you about the last time he competed. Stephen had a great start, but hit a wall about three-quarters of the way through the race. I stood on the deck, but once he completed the initial 25m, I couldn’t see him on the return pass. When I did see him, it seemed he thought the race was completed. He was clearly gassed and aware that everyone was finishing ahead of him. But he dug deep in a futile effort to make up as much time as he could, even though it was evident that he couldn’t win or even place.
At this point, I stopped recording and hustled over to the top of his lane. The gym had previously been bustling with ovations and cheers, but now was eerily quiet. Before Steven put his head down to give it his all, he looked right at me as if to say, “I’m finishing this damn race!” For a moment, nothing else mattered and there was no one else in that gym besides my little brother and me. It was if we were kids back in Carol Stream at the Aldrin Swimming Center, trying to get to the last wall.
I belted out a “Let’s go, Buddy!” and clapped it out until my hands hurt. When Steven reached the wall, gasping for air as he came to the surface, he let out a triumphant and unforgettable “AGGHHHHH!” and I gave him one back. Steven reached out his right arm and held out the biggest thumbs-up ever and shouted, “Yes!” He then swam over to the ladder, the last man out of the pool. He gave me a soaking wet hug and said, “Hey, Brother, I’m tired.” After covering him with his towel, we walked back to the locker room. I told him that I had never been more proud of anyone or anything in my entire life.
Medals and recognition were irrelevant to Steven. He finished what he started, no matter what the circumstances. He let nothing stand in his way. Sometimes, we don’t win or even come close to it, but that doesn’t always matter. What matters is HOW we finish what we start out to do, regardless of the outcome.
Send yours to
