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Instead, Henry learned something even more valuable in life -- that participating and doing your personal best is more important and enduring than a fleeting moment of glory. Henry said:

"To me, it is the spirit of Pierre de Coubertin, of never giving up, of staying the course no matter what, that is the real spirit that drives the Olympic Games. "

"I choose to think that my Olympic experiences helped shape my life, much for the better. I know this: by not finishing first and not realizing the fulfillment of my dreams -- when everyone in the world, myself included, fully expected I would -- I was able to gain a much better appreciation and understanding of the Olympic Creed spoken by Baron de Coubertin:

'The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win, but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph, but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered, but to have fought well.'"

"It's easy to stay the course and fight the fight when you're on top, when you're winning, but what of those times when everywhere you look you see nothing but hurdles, obstacles, roadblocks, barricades, detours and swamps? That is when you find out who you are."

The Olympic Spirit in YOU!
Henry Marsh remained persistent in his pursuit of his goals, despite failure, illness, and bad luck. To a persistent person, an obstacle is just something between them and their goal. John Wooden, the great UCLA basketball coach said, "Saying 'I tried, but it didn't work out' is a lot better than 'I wish I had tried'."

Overcoming obstacles is something we face every day. Use the following exercise to take on an obstacle you face.

• Write down an obstacle you have faced in the past.
• Write down how you were persistent and beat that obstacle.
• Write down an obstacle you are facing now.
• Write down how you will beat this obstacle by being persistent.
• Share your plan with others who face the same obstacle.

More Athletes

Ann Meyers Drysdale Bart Conner Billy Mills Baron Pierre de Coubertin Gail Devers Greg Barton Henry Marsh John Naber

Karch Kiraly Mary Lou Retton Matt Ghaffari Milt Campbell Nadia Comaneci Nancy Hogshead Paul Gonzales Terry Schroeder

For more great stories about Olympians, ask your librarian for books about Olympic spirit, including Awaken the Olympian Within complied by John Naber, and The Olympic Dream and Spirit, Vol. 1, 2, and 3, with Bob Schaller.