
"Winning a medal in the Olympics seems like the pinnacle of achievement to a normal person, but according to Olympians, it's not what made them happiest or even what they remember most from the games. Instead, it's the friendships they built."
"Raisman, who captained the USA's women's Olympic gymnastic teams in 2012 and 2016, said that people would talk about her athletic success as if it were never enough. When I would finish, no matter how well I did, a question I got very quickly after I finished competing was What about the next Olympics?' Raisman told amNewYork. What I feel so grateful for is the friendships that I made along the way, and those are really my moments of happiness."
"Purdy medaled in both Olympics bronze in 2014 and silver in 2018 but injured her leg in 2019 and is now retired. In my darkest days, literally going through injury and recovery and uncertainty and change in transition, I found moments where I was really, really happy, Purdy told amNewYork. I realize that it wasn't because any outcome happened. It was because I was pursuing things with purpose, and I was taking action, trying to problem-solve, and figure things out."
Olympians report that medals are not the main source of their happiness or the memories they cherish most. Friendships formed during training and competition rank high among lasting moments of joy. Many athletes prioritize pursuing the activities they love, evolving personally, and growing over time. Athletes described shifting focus from external pressure and outcomes to enjoying the process and taking purposeful action. Injuries and transitions revealed that happiness can arise from problem-solving, recovery, and meaningful pursuit rather than solely from podium results. A corporate happiness-themed campaign convened the athletes to share these perspectives.
Read at www.amny.com
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