I am not a fan of professional sports (with the possible exception of the Habs) and I don’t care much for the Olympics either.
The business and politics of sports and the questionable activities of many pampered and highly-paid athletes is offensive to me.
Nevertheless, the true meaning of sportsmanship and fair play often shines through in the unselfish acts of some exceptional individuals.
I have been especially inspired by one recent example of good will and self-sacrifice from one Canadian athlete.
Students at King Edward School in Kitchener know what I’m talking about and they even put their money where their mouths are to show they mean it.
The children in that community invited cross-country skier Gilmore Junio to join them one day at school for a special presentation.
At the 2014 Sochi Olympics Mr. Junio had an opportunity to compete in the 1,000-metre final, after his teammate fell during the trials and was disqualified.
Knowing that his friend had a better chance for a medal, Junio stepped aside to allow his teammate to compete and go on to win silver.
A Toronto design firm started a social media campaign called “Thanks Gilmore” and thanks to many grateful and generous Canadians, a special medal was created in his honor.
Junio was at the school to receive this very special award, made possible in part by the students’ generous donation of many hard-earned loonies.
His medal is crafted of Canadian maple, silver to commemorate his friend Denny Morrison’s success, and gold to signify the award winning behavior of Gilmore himself.
The kids at King Edward gathered around their hero after the presentation and from the look on his face, he was just as thrilled as they were.
And judging by the children’s reaction, they look up to this unassuming young man as a role model to follow.
One young admirer explained what he had learned from Gilmore with this deceptively simple observation - when he was playing, he could share his toys with his friends.
That’s what I call leading, and learning by example.
Junio responded by saying, “I always knew Canadians were good people,” and he should know since he is certainly one of the good guys.
I have to admit it brought a tear to my eye and it restored my faith in humanity – this athlete, these kids and probably their parents too are examples of Canada’s best.
It’s no surprise how this series of events affected me and many others with such strong emotional reactions.
A 2011 study at the University of British Columbia revealed that ordinary people who witness good deeds and selfless acts are motivated to “pay it forward” as they say.
Repeated studies confirmed that showing and telling stories of human virtue and simple acts of kindness has measurable positive effects on behavior.
Gilmore Junio’s unselfish decision not to compete in the thousand meters that day is an example worth repeating.
What a refreshing change from the usual whoop-whooping, chest-pounding and fist-bumping antics we normally expect from pro athletes.
Imagine what might happen if more of us were witness to stories of heroism and valor and extraordinary acts of kindness by ordinary Canadians.
Junio’s medal and a roomful of very impressed school kids are testament to that.
I’m still not a fan of Big Sports and after watching the Habs lose 7-2 to New York I may have to put them on notice too.
But in the meantime my faith in Canadians, human kindness and the triumph of the human spirit has been rejuvenated.
Leading by example is a powerful tool.
