I love the Olympics. I love what it stands for. I love the competition. I love the human interest stories. I love rooting for my country in some obscure sport that I only get to watch once every 4 years.
One of those obscure sports is the Biathlon, which combines cross country skiing and shooting proficiency. It is an odd pairing, but I watch it during the Olympics and root like crazy for these Olympians who have trained their entire lives for this one moment. A bit odd, huh?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxzqBJoBCyg
This year, Tracy Barnes competed in the Olympic trials to qualify for the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia. She qualified, capturing the final spot on the United States Olympic Team. However, she decided to give up her spot on the team. Why? Her twin sister, Lanny had taken ill just prior to the Olympic trials and could not compete. Tracy felt that her sister had a better year than her and deserved her spot. “The Olympics are about more than just winning gold, or even competing,” Tracy said. “They are about friendship, cooperation, sacrifice, and a whole host of other things. Lanny is my best friend and my teammate. I see how hard she works on a daily basis, so I know first hand that she is deserving of a spot on the Olympic Team. If I can be the one to give her that opportunity, than that is an honor and a sacrifice that I am willing to make.”
In a chocked up voice Lanny had this to say about the act of kindness from her sister, “How can I ever thank someone enough for doing this. She gave me a second chance. It changed my life forever.” So, with the USA on the back of her jersey, her sister watching from the crowd and me cheering from my chair, Lanny finished in 64th place at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Author’s Perspective: I believe that Tracy Barnes captures the Olympic spirit. Tracy valued fairness and her relationship with her sister more than competing in the Olympics. She didn’t think it was right that her sister’s sickness kept her off the Olympic team, especially since Lanny had consistently beat her throughout the year. It was a selfless act. It was an act of kindness, love and compassion. Tracy sacrificed her dream so that Lanny could live out hers. It’s the kind of gesture that puts a tear in my eye eye and makes me reflect on what really matters. I hope it does the same for you too.
Your Turn: Please place your comments below and (2) like and share our Facebook page (character development & leadership) or (3) tweet to @CDandLeadership using #olympicspirit):
1) Could you ever sacrifice your dreams to help someone else fulfill their dreams? Who would it be? Why?
2) Does this story inspire you? Why or why not?
3) What small or large sacrifice have you made for someone else?
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Inspiring!
1. yes and it would only be family or friends that are considered to be family.
2. Yes because i would like to be trusting of everyone
3. Being late to certain events to allow someone to finish getting ready
1.i mean yeah if its someone close to me and they need it bad enough like one of my brothers and i would make the sacrifice if they needed it worser than me
2.of course this story inspired me because she made a huge sacrifice
3. a lot like ive made sacrifises like giving a couple shoes to my friend
I could and have sacrificed my dreams and will do it again this story inspires me because the level of compassion and empathy really made me feel good just a small sacrifice I’ve had to make was i had to give up my spot on the all star team for a friend on my basketball team.
1) If I sacrificed a dream of mine it would be for my cousin. For cheer, she’s been in cheer longer and has been wanting it for almost her whole life.
2) No it doesn’t inspire me, it’s just a plain story that I heard of better.
3) No sacrifices.
My dream has always been going into space. I have always been fascinated by it and have always wanted to travel into space. The only way I would sacrifice my dream of going into space would be if per say my brother had an illness that would kill him and had no cure.. Then I would give up my dreams and let him go in my place.
1) If I had the choice to sacrifice my dream to help someone else, I would. However, I would only help if I know and completely understand that it means a lot to him/her and that person would try their best to succeed. It does not matter who it is, just someone who is able to fulfill it and not take it for granted. If that person is going to just give up and not do anything, I would not give up my dream and try my very own best to achieve it.
2) This story does inspire me because it shows how some people in our society still actually has proper morals and by giving up her dream, she showed how much she cared for the other.
3) Well first of all, sleep. In order to complete work and other things for school, I sacrificed my sleep. It would be my own choice if I want to or not but to finish things for school, I chose to stay up late. Other than that, I feel that what I do for others, isn’t really a sacrifice. Doing whatever I did was my choice and not really giving up anything on the way. Doing things for my friends, helping others, etc, is really just me doing what I feel is right.
1. I don’t think that I would be willing to sacrifice my dreams for another person because I don’t have a strong enough bond with any one to the point where I would be wiling to give up my dreams. I can see why Tracy Barnes would be willing to give up her spot on the Olympic team because most twins have a special bond that isn’t usually found anywhere else.
2. This story does inspire me because it’s rare to see someone willingly give up something so important in order to give someone else the chance to live out their dreams.
1) No, I do not think that I could sacrifice my dream to help someone else fulfill their dreams because I would rather fulfill my dreams instead of someone else’s. If they can’t do something then that’s their fault for missing their chance but I still have mine and I’m not going to waste it.
2) This story doesn’t really inspire me because I am very selfish unless they are my best best friend and I would do anything for them. However, for someone not close to me I’d rather put myself first because I’m also very competitive.
3) I usually make small sacrifices for example giving up food to give to my friends or staying up to help friends even when it’s very late at night. I don’t think I make very big sacrifices like giving up my life but I make small sacrifices for friends.
1) Could you ever sacrifice your dreams to help someone else fulfill their dreams? Who would it be? Why?
If there was a circumstance where I felt that it is the right thing to do by sacrificing my dreams to help others succeed, I would be obliged to help them. At the end of the day, you can’t take medals and awards to the grave. If you do something nice for someone else, you will feel good about yourself knowing that you have done a good deed. Even if you sacrifice your dreams, it doesn’t mean you give up your dreams. Maybe it just wasn’t the time for you to win, maybe there’s something greater coming for you. At the end of the day, you will never regret helping others.
2) This story does not inspire me because I can not relate.
3) I have have made any sacrifices for others lately.
I would give something up because this story inspires me. It probably be big like a job position or something like that.
1) if I were to sacrifice my dreams it would be to my mother she always helps me no matter what she deserves it
1) if I were to sacrifice my dreams it would be to my mother she always helps me no matter what she deserves it
2) it does inspire me it proves to me I can do great things in life.
3) I would sacrifice my organs for a transplant it would be for my mom
1. Yes because even though my dreams did not come true someone else came true. And to see how happy they are is a dream come true. I would help my brother because his dreams desvie to come true.
2. yes this story inspires me because it is so good to see someone go out of there way to help someones dreams come true.
3. I have put my parents before my education.
1.)Yes I would sacrifice my dreams for someone else’s dreams.The person I would sacrifice my dreams for theirs is my best friend Brooklyn Todd.I would sacrifice my dreams for hers because I love her and I know she would do the same for me,we have been best friends since preschool.She is my only best friend and I only want the est for her,and if it comes down to my dreams and hers, she gets to achieve them.
2.)Yes, this story inspires me.It inspires me because it shows that sometimes you need to stop only thinking about yourself and you need to think about how other people will feel if you do something.
3.)One small sacrifice I made for someone was when I gave my lunch up to my friend and I ate the nasty school lunch because I knew she had been having a bad day and I didn’t want it to get worse for her.
1.)Yes I would sacrifice my dreams for someone else’s dreams.The person I would sacrifice my dreams for theirs is my best friend Brooklyn Todd.I would sacrifice my dreams for hers because I love her and I know she would do the same for me,we have been best friends since preschool.She is my only best friend and I only want the est for her,and if it comes down to my dreams and hers, she gets to achieve them.
2.)Yes, this story inspires me.It inspires me because it shows that sometimes you need to stop only thinking about yourself and you need to think about how other people will feel if you do something.
3.)One small sacrifice I made for someone was when I gave my lunch up to my friend and I ate the nasty school lunch because I knew she had been having a bad day and I didn’t want it to get worse for her.
1.)Yes I would sacrifice my dreams for someone else’s dreams.The person I would sacrifice my dreams for theirs is my best friend Daisy Tribble.I would sacrifice my dreams for hers because I love her and I know she would do the same for me,we have been best friends since 2nd grade.She is my only best friend and I only want the best for her,and if it comes down to my dreams and hers, she gets to achieve them.
2.)Yes, this story inspires me.It inspires me because it shows that sometimes you need to stop only thinking about yourself and you need to think about how other people will feel if you do something.
3.)One small sacrifice I made for someone was when I gave my lunch up to my friend and I ate the nasty school lunch because I knew she had been having a bad day and I didn’t want it to get worse for her.
1. Yes, I would sacrifice my dreams for someone else’s dreams. The person I would sacrifice my dreams for theirs is my best friend Dayana Avalos because she means everything to me and she would do the same for me.
2. Yes, this story inspires me because somebody who probably had the same dream since she was a little kid gave up her dream to fulfill somebody else’s dream and that is so kind.
3. One small sacrifice I made for someone else is that I stayed up to help my cousin with her project.
1.Yes i would because there are other dreams that i have.
2.yes because it shows that helping people shows empathy.
3. my friend was sick during a test so i offerd to take him to the clinic but when i got back the time to test was over.
1) Yes, because I would rather see someone else get the gold and be happy than me. If I were to do this for someone, it would have to be a family member or friend.
2) It inspires me because I can see how so many people care for others more than themselves.
3) A small sacrifice I made as to take time out of my day to help my little brother with his homework.
1) I would not sacrafise my dreams even if it was my best friends because in the end once they are on top they will forget you and all that hard work of your will have been wasted
2) Yes it does inspire me because he sacrafised his own goals for another person
3) I have made small sacrafise to help my mom wih her work and papers
I could and have sacrificed my dreams and will do it again this story inspires me because the level of compassion and empathy really made me feel good just a small sacrifice I’ve had to make was i had to give up my spot on the all star team for a friend on my basketball team.
I could sacrifice my dreams to help my brothers fulfill theirs because they have sacrificed a lot of time and effort in order to help me reach my dreams and goals. Without them I would not be in the place and position that I am in today so I would sacrifice anything and everything in order to help them. This story does inspires to take a step away from sports sometimes and just be a human being. Few things beat putting a smile on somebody’s face especially when it’s someone you care about or are close to. A small sacrifice that I continue to make for my friends and brother is making their games or matches rather than staying home.
1.I could sacrifice my dreams to fulfill their dreams I probably would and it would most likely be my sister because I always want her to be happy and be proud of her self.
2.I this story does inspire me because it shows that sge really cares for the person.
3.I have let someone win so they could fell good about themselves and also be happy.
1. I probably wouldn’t sacrificed my dreams to help someone else’s. Why? Because my dream job is in a position where sacrifice isn’t much of an option.
2. This didn’t inspire me too much. (Probably because I see things like this in movies and it has grown stagnant. Or maybe because it didn’t have the emotional “umph” it needed to move me.)
3. I sacrificed my French fries to my sister because she was sick and I already had a burger.
What an inspiring story. Hard work and the time you put in really does pay off in the end
1- I do not know if i could be able to give up a track spot for someone else, I would give it to my cousin, because he works a lot harder than me.
2- Yes, it is hard to give up your dream.
3- My sacrifice would be very small.
A)Yes, My family I would do anything to make sure they get the happiness of childhood.
B)Yes, It Helps me to decide how to help my siblings and parents to take care of all of us.
C)Well, One day when I was 6 I gave my brother my candy bar, and just know that I pretty much lived on chocolate. so that was a big thing for me when I was that age.
1. I would sacrifice my dreams to help my family. They do so much for me and I want to give back to them in some way.
2. Yes, it’s hard to give up your dream and it’s cool that she did that.
3. I make small sacrifices for my friends when I give them my food.
1. I would sacrifice my dreams to help someone that is close to me because i like helping people.
2. Yes, it would be difficult but it’s cool that she did it.
3. I sacrifice my time often to help out my friends.
1) I would not sacrafise my dreams even if it was my best friends because in the end once they are on top they will forget you and all that hard work of your will have been wasted
2) Yes it does inspire me because he sacrafised his own goals for another person
3) I have made small sacrafise to help my mom wih her work and papers
1) If I sacrificed a dream of mine it would be for my cousin. For cheer, she’s been in cheer longer and has been wanting it for almost her whole life.
2) No it doesn’t inspire me, it’s just a plain story that I heard of better.
3) No sacrifices.
I Love this inspiring and fulfilling story of an Olympian.
1) I would not sacrafise my dreams even if it was my best friends because in the end once they are on top they will forget you and all that hard work of your will have been wasted
2) Yes it does inspire me because he sacrafised his own goals for another person
3) I have made small sacrafise to help my mom wih her work and papers
Fulfilling story of an Olympian
If I sacrificed a dream of mine it would be for my cousin. For cheer, she’s been in cheer longer and has been wanting it for almost her whole life.
1.i mean yeah if its someone close to me and they need it bad enough like one of my brothers and i would make the sacrifice if they needed it worser than me
2.of course this story inspired me because she made a huge sacrifice
3. a lot like ive made sacrifises like giving a couple shoes to my friend
1. Yes I would sacrifice someone else to fulfill their dreams and it will be my close cousins or one of my family members
2. Yes it inspire me because it show empathy like understanding how the other person is feeling
3. The small sacrifice I have made for someone was cooking food for my mom and cleaning up for her
1. Yes I would sacrifice someone else to fulfill their dreams and it will be one of my family members
2. Yes it inspire me because it show empathy
3. The small sacrifice I have made for someone was cooking food for my mom and cleaning up for her
1. yes if they are better suited or if they were a close friend.
2. no but it dos show that there is still kindness in the world.
3. kinda i’ve helped my family and friends.
1.) yea i would but not to be selfish or anything but it’d have to be a family member.
2.) yes it does because of the sacrifice she made
3.) i’ve spent my last dollar literally on someone
1) yes but only for family or a really close friend2)yes sort of 3)I’ve spent money on people.
1.) It is rare, but depending on circumstances then yes! I think it would be good to be able to help someone achieve their goals. When you do good in the world, good is brought back to you.
1) yes i would sacrifice my dream to help someone fulfill theirs and it would be really close friends and family.
2) yes because it shows what people are willing to do for others
3) i have given up my time on school work to help someone else with their work.
1. I probably would sacrifice my dreams, but only depending on how strongly I feel the other person deserves it more than me.
2. This story does inspire me to be a little more selfless.
3. I gave my last two dollars to a kid one day so they could get some chips from the corner store.
1. Yes, but it depends on who that person is and what I would benefit from it as well as them
2. It doesn’t inspire me but it shows that people should be less selfish
3. Risk my happiness or well-being so they can have it.
1. I would sacrifice my dreams to fulfill their dreams and it would most likely be my sister because I always want her to be happy and be proud of her self.
2. I this story does inspire me because it shows that she really cares for the person.
3. I have let someone win so they could fell good about themselves and be happy.
1. yes I could it would be for one of my family members.
2. yes this inspires me
3. i would quit my job or lose my reputation for them
Yes I would sacrifice my dreams for someone else’s dreams.The person I would sacrifice my dreams for theirs is my best friend Brooklyn Todd.I would sacrifice my dreams for hers because I love her and I know she would do the same for me,we have been best friends since preschool.She is my only best friend and I only want the est for her,and if it comes down to my dreams and hers, she gets to achieve them.Yes, this story inspires me.It inspires me because it shows that sometimes you need to stop only thinking about yourself and you need to think about how other people will feel if you do something.
One small sacrifice I made for someone was when I gave my lunch up to my friend and I ate the nasty school lunch because I knew she had been having a bad day and I didn’t want it to get worse for her.
I mean yeah if its someone close to me and they need it bad enough like one of my brothers and i would make the sacrifice if they needed it more than me
of course, this story inspired me because she made a huge sacrifice
a lot like I’ve made sacrifices like giving a couple of shoes to my friend
1) If I had the choice to sacrifice my dream to help someone else, I would. However, I would only help if I know and completely understand that it means a lot to him/her and that person would try their best to succeed. It does not matter who it is, just someone who is able to fulfill it and not take it for granted. If that person is going to just give up and not do anything, I would not give up my dream and try my very own best to achieve it.
2) This story does inspire me because it shows how some people in our society still actually has proper morals and by giving up her dream, she showed how much she cared for the other.
1) Could you ever sacrifice your dreams to help someone else fulfill their dreams? Who would it be? Why?
I would sacrifice my dreams for my older brother because he’s always been there for me when no one else was.
2) Does this story inspire you? Why or why not?
Yes, because Tracy sacrificed something she loved for a person she loved.
3) What small or large sacrifice have you made for someone else?
I have given many clothes and shoes to my friends.
I would sacrifice my own happiness for someone else’s because if people are having a bad day it would feel good to cheer them up
It does inspire me because if you are in the Olympics and quit helping someone that’s cool
giving someone something over my happiness
1) Could you ever sacrifice your dreams to help someone else fulfill their dreams? Who would it be? Why?
Yes, If i was a mother, I would sacrifice everything I have for my child to fulfil what they want to do in life.
2) Does this story inspire you? Why or why not?
Yes, this story inspires me because the twin sister was willing to sacrifice it all for her twin sister, it is so heartwarming, probably the best sister ever.
3) What small or large sacrifice have you made for someone else?
I have sacrifice my time to hangout with my little brother, and just spend time with him as he is growing up way too fast. Just wish he would stop growing up.
1) I might be able to sacrifice my dreams for others but depends on how I know them
2)I’m not too inspired by this story because its not really my forte
3)I have made some sacrifices for other people but I would not like to talk about them
1. If it was someone very important to me, I would give up my dream for them. I would because if I knew it meant a lot to the person and I cared about them I would give up anything for them.
2. This story does inspire me because it is heartwarming to know that the sister would give up the dream that she was working for her sister.
3. A sacrifice that I have made was when my friend needed someone to talk to. I gave up my time for them because a small sacrifice of mine can make someone’s day.
Barnes showed empathy because she saw things through her eyes, she knew that if that was her she would want that spot because she worked as hard as every other competitor but couldn’t compete because of something out of her control.
1) Yes, I would sacrifice my dreams to only help certain people who mean a lot to me, because if I felt as thought they needed it more than me I would do it.
2) Yes, because it just inspires me to do the same to someone else.
3) I sacrificed my seat for someone else to sit down because I could tell they needed it more than me.
1. If somebody I care about and is important to me I would give my dream up for them. And it depends on the situation at hand. If they needed me and if it meant something of greater value to them than a dream of mine I would give it up for them.
2. This is an inspiring story because the sister gave up everything for her sister and it probably meant a lot for the sister.
3. A sacrifice I have made was for my brother, it wasn’t a big sacrifice or anything like that. I went with my younger autistic brother on a festival ride. He was scared for his life and we will never go on it again but I went with him so he would be safe and hold me.
If if i had to scarce my dream for somebody else, I would only for one person and that would be grandpa.
1- If it was somebody I cared about or was that important to me, I would give up my dream for them, if they need it more than me.
2- Yes, because it inspires me to do the same for someone else.
3- I haven’t really sacrificed much but like a seat for a stranger.
1) Could you ever sacrifice your dreams to help someone else fulfill their dreams? Who would it be? Why?
mabey it all depends on the person I’m stoping to help
2) Does this story inspire you? Why or why not?
yes and no it has pride and logic
3) What small or large sacrifice have you made for someone else?
i have made some big ones and small ones like haveinng a late assiment so i could help my freind pass it
Tracy Barnes shows empathy by understanding her sisters perspective, and believing that she deserves that spot more than her, because of her talent, and because she didn’t get a chance at it because she was ill. This is a perfect example of empathy.
1. Yes, it would be my friends, I want to accomplish them on what they want to achieve and I wouldn’t fail on them.
2.Yes, this inspires me, the sister helped the other sister. I’ve find that true empathy.
3.Not much of a sacrifice but I would say it was a small sacrifice. I helped someone study and understand the words and then they later passed the test.
1. I could, even though it would be very hard, I would help someone close because I would want their dreams to be fulfilled.
2. This story inspires me because it is a very good example of sacrifice and Empathy which needs to be seen more.
3.One time I made a large sacrifice to my dog by putting lots of time and Raising and training her at the cost of academic time.