Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court

The Olympics: Good and Not So Good

There are two Olympics: the Special Olympics and the Olympic Games.

I support the Special Olympics. My goodness, there you’ll witness what the spirit of the game is all about. You’ll see the thrill on the face of a competitor who comes in last but gives it absolutely everything he or she has! They prepare hard. They compete hard. They succeed even with a last-place finish. This is a lesson with real depth.

I no longer feel that supportive of the Olympic Games, which have become almost professional. You’ll see an athlete complaining about coming in second because he knows it will cost him in endorsements. Going for the gold has too often become going for the green.