My dictionary has 20 definitions of the word "spirit" listed.  Watching the pairs event in ice skatting Monday evening, the one definition that came to mind was:  "The part of a human being that is incorporeal and invisible and is characterized by intelligence, personalilty, self-consciousness, and will; the mind."

As the Russian couple, Tatiana and Max, skatted across my TV screen I wondered what it was that allowed them to return a year after the devastating accident when Max dropped Tatiana while spinning her in the air.  I'll never forget seeing that horrific scene as she spun out of his grasp and hit the ice, face down.  What trust and courage it must take to resume skating together after such an accident.  But skate they did Monday evening and skated their way to winning the Gold. Remembering that accident and witnessing them as they skated through the fear and anxiety brought tears to my eyes.

And if you watched....you witnessed Zhang and Zhang of China.  During their performance she fell in a split while attempting an unprecedented throw and doubled over in pain.  They stopped skating, got off the ice, talked with their coaches.....then asked to continue and the event referee allowed it.  They skated on to claim the Silver. 

But what was it that pushed her beyond the pain, beyond the humiliation, beyond the disappointment to get back out there and skate?   What was it that enabled Tatiana and Max to take that risk following the accident?  I believe it's the above definition of spirit.  It's that part of their inner being that pushes them forward.  That will to try again and again and again until their perfection takes them to that podium to collect their medal. 

I am in awe of the Olympic athletes....each and every one of them.  I am in awe of their perseverance, their dedication, their extreme hard work and their will to succeed.  I believe they're an inspiration to all of us and I strongly feel they embody that saying, "If you can dream it....you can be it." 

I have a pretty good idea that the word "whine" isn't in their emotional make up.  Despite the fatigue, the pain, the injuries, the difficulty....they strive to keep going ahead.  And it's in that striving that makes their Olympic dream a reality. 

Just my opinion.  See you tomorrow...........