A Whole New Level of Champion | Some Wise Guy

A champion is:

a person who has defeated all opponents

a person who fights for or defends any person or cause

a fighter or warrior

courtesy of Dictionary.com

Unless you live under a pretty large rock you may have heard that the 2012 Olympic Games ? are currently under way. And regardless of what country you?re from you probably know the name Michael Phelps. He is now the most decorated Olympic athlete of all time with 20 medals.

Besides the fact he swims better than some dolphins, what sets Phelps apart is his dedication. He once practiced every day for 5 years! That?s 1,826 consecutive days of dedication. Besides being married, eating and sleeping I have never done anything every day for a 1 year let alone 5.

Michael?s determination and love of his sport serves as an inspiration to many. In an interview with CNN Phelps was asked who inspires him.

?I think one of the coolest things that I loved about [Michael Jordan] was it didn?t matter what he had going on off the court or if he was sick or this or that.?

?He never used an excuse. He came out every single night on the court and did what he had to do to get his job done. That?s what champions do. It doesn?t matter what else is going on when you walk in to your arena, whatever you excel at, you?re there to take care of the job that you have to do.?

Some people treat getting out of bed each day like a victory. Countless athletes peaked in high school or college and let their passion for a sport dwindle after that. Even some Olympians call it good after winning a medal and even fewer after achieving gold.

Not Michael Phelps. He is finally retiring, but a champion of his caliber only said ?enough? after 20 Olympic medals. He is ?finished? after 20 years of swimming.

Questions: How are you defined as a ?champion?? What do you think Michael Phelps will do next?

Source: http://www.somewiseguy.com/champion/

rod blagojevich rod blagojevich uconn ncaa march madness mario williams vcu unlv