The London Olympics will surely be remembered for athletes achieving the highest of highs, and athletes sinking to the lowest of lows.
On the high side, swimmer Michael Phelps' record-breaking medal count at the Olympics has people debating whether he is the best Olympic competitor ever. With events still ongoing, Phelps had a chance to add to his record 20 medals over the course of his Olympic career.
Phelps' achievement puts him among an elite crowd of competitors who have shown that hard work, determination and focus can help you reach your goals, whatever those goals may be.
On the opposite side of the Olympic spectrum are eight badminton players who were kicked out after deliberately playing to lose.
The badminton competition begins with round robin play, so some teams figured they could have an advantage if they were seeded lower due to a loss in that round and they wouldn't face as stiff of competition in the opening elimination round.
The Badminton World Federation cited four doubles teams - representing China, South Korea and Indonesia - for "conducting oneself in a manner that is clearly abusive or detrimental to the sport."
When we think of the Olympics, we think of athletes such as Phelps and others who give their all in every competition that they are involved in as they set out to prove that they are the best in the world. Intentionally losing in order to get a more favorable seeding, and perhaps an easier opponent in a coming match, goes against everything that the Olympics represents. In addition to being kicked out of the London Games, those competitors who engaged in this behavior should be permanently banned from competing in their sport at any level.
Moving forward, the badminton competition probably won't include round robin play in future Olympics, but at this level of competition the thought of athletes throwing a match in order to get a better seeding shouldn't even be a consideration.
London's Olympics will go down in history for the athletes reaching the pinnacle of success, as well as those who fell to the bottom of the barrel. The lessons learned apply equally in life: Hard work and dedication will help you achieve your goals; and attempting to take shortcuts on the way to success will ultimately lead you to failure.
