Olympic hearts

Every two years we as a nation collectively get Olympic fever. Whether it’s the summer games or the winter games, we Americans come together under the red, white and blue.

Sure, we divide ourselves into binary choices every other day of the year, like Red State/Blue State or Urban/Rural. But when it comes to us against other nations in the Olympics? The only label that matters is “USA.”

There’s something unique about Olympic athletes. Look, these are athletes at the top of their games who we wouldn’t likely recognize in the grocery store. They compete in sports that only get the spotlight in Olympic years.

For example, if you asked me three days ago the basic points of figure skating I wouldn’t have had a clue. But, now that I’ve listened to the commentators, I’m pretty sure I could be a judge tomorrow.

But it’s not like Sports Illustrated is regularly featuring alpine skiing on its cover. I can’t imagine there can be that many endorsement contracts for competitive luge or curling. And I sure didn’t see any footage of a highly recruited two-man bobsled team on National Signing Day.

And yet, many of these athletes put in the work, every day, to compete in a sport for which they have a true passion.

It’s passion that gets them up every morning for workouts before work and school. It’s drive that has them putting in the hours practicing that they might have spent with friends and family. It’s dedication that has them working some minimum wage job at a big box store to pay for training, coaches, travel and more.

Fame? Recognition? Some lucrative paycheck? Those aren’t guaranteed to an Olympian.

It is the purest form of competitive spirit.

Maybe that’s why farmers and ranchers identify with some of these Olympic athletes.

There’s no endorsement deals for farmers. Your “coaches” are your family members and trusted business associates who push you to succeed. Maybe, if you’re lucky, you’ll do something that draws our attention and we’ll put you on the cover of High Plains Journal. But there’s no medal, no oversized check to go with it.

You just do what you do because it’s your calling.

Right now, the ag economy is as challenging as it’s been in quite some time. But this is what you’ve trained for all these years.

You spent your off years attending seminars and field days to learn. You know your land and your livestock like an athlete knows the course or arena. You have mentally and physically prepared yourself and your farm for lean years of competition. This time, right now, is your Olympics.

And, no matter what our labels may be in any other year, remember we’re all Americans. We’re all cheering for you, even if we don’t know your names or even understand the rules of your game.

Jennifer M. Latzke can be reached at 620-227-1807 or [email protected].