Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Overcoming Olympic Sized Odds

Brian McKeever has only 10% of his vision. This ten percent is completely peripheral. His dream: compete in the Olympics. He has competed in the Paralympics multiple times and has had great success. He was scheduled to compete in in Vancouver this year; however, the Canadian Olympic Team Committee decided to take him off the national team. This article from Sports Illustrated lightly touches on his heartache and how he is able to achieve athletic greatness despite his handicap.

McKeever presents us with an excellent example of what it takes to be successful today. He has refused to let his virtual blindness take over his life and dictate to him what he can and cannot do. As an athlete, I know how important it is to have all your physical abilities. I'm sure all of you can understand too. Not only does McKeever live, he thrives in competition. What would his motivation be without the Olympics? Sure, he kicks ass in the Paralympics. But after so many victories, there are two options: move to the next level, or stop competing. The Olympics provide that next level for athletes world wide, impaired or not.

The Olympics bring people together. They bring ALL kinds of people together. They motivate people to be better. McKeever does not use his handicap as a crutch. It's just another obstacle to overcome, just like sore muscles after a hard workout. You go, Brian McKeever. Show 'em how it's done.
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3 comments:

  1. Madison HarrisMarch 23, 2010 at 11:23 PM

    This article on Brian McKeever is truly admirable. If he has the will, power, and talent to accomplish something that he has spent a large of amount of his life working towards, I don't think anyone should be able to stand in his way. Even if it is the Olympics. They should let him move on and allow others to follow in his footsteps in the Paralympics.

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  2. Kylie.GressApril 12, 2010 at 7:09 PM

    I completely agree with Madison. If he's that good, it's not fair to him or the other competitors of the Paralympics for him to still have to compete there. They should let him move on to the Olympics. He sounds talented enough.
    You did a very good job writing this, Jamie! You had a great "hook" that made me interested from the very beginning. However, I was confused when you said that McKeever didn't use his disability as a "crutch". How would he use it like a "crutch"?

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  3. Kylie.GressApril 12, 2010 at 7:17 PM

    I completely agree with Madison. If McKeever is that talented, it's not fair to him or the other competitors of the Paralympics for him to still be restricted to just that competition.
    Jamie, you did a great job on this blog post! You got my attention in the very beginning and made me WANT to read your entire post. There was one thing that confused me, though. You said that McKeever didn't use his disability as a "crutch." How would he use it as a "crutch"?

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