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Olympic athletes have many traits and qualities that I admire. They believe in personal excellence, they practice respect everywhere they go, and they make new friendships with athletes from other countries. One of the most impressive traits is the courage that athletes show. I believe that Olympians can inspire us all to have courage in our own life.

For example, Kerri Strug was a gymnast for the 1996 Summer Olympic Team. She attempted her first vault, but fell on the landing. Her fall resulted in a hurt ankle. Although her coaches knew that she was hurt, they only had thirty seconds to decide if she needed to do a second vault to improve her score and win the team competition. Her coach, Bella Karolyi told her, "Keri, we need you to go one more time. You can do it, you better do it." Therefore, despite her horrible injury, Kerri summoned up the courage and ran down the runway. She did a nearly perfect vault, and completely stuck the landing - winning the gold for team USA. After she saluted the judges, she instantly hopped onto her only good foot. She was hurt so badly that she needed a coach to carry her off. Until she was admitted to the hospital, no one knew that Kerri Strug had a third-degree lateral sprain and tendon damage. The fact that Kerri Strug ran down and completed a perfect vault despite being severely injured proves that Olympic athletes must be courageous even when they are hurt. She could have injured herself more severly by doing the second vault, but she did not let that stop her from doing her very best and helping her team.

Another example of courage is speed skater J.R. Celski. While he was attempting to qualify for the 2010 Olympics, he fell and sliced his leg with the razor sharp blade of his skate. Celski went from hoping to be able to be in the Olympics, to hoping to be able to walk again. However, Celski was so courageous and brave, and he pressed the limits trying to rehabilatate his injury. Not only was he able to walk, but he was able to skate. He competed at the 2010 Olympics, and as a 19 year old recovering from a serious injury, won the bronze medal. He showed courage in getting back to the ice rink and trying again at a sport that almost took his life.

I realize that Olympians constantly show courage while training and competing in their sport. I think it is important for me to show courage in my life as well. For instance, it was scary for me to go back to school and get my Master's degree. It was something new to me, and I was unsure of the outcome. However, once I took the step and began graduate school, I realized that I really liked it and it was a good fit. Now, I am proud that I have my Master's degree and I was courageous enough to take the first step towards accomplishing that.

I will work hard to be courageous in my life from here on out. For instance, Ryan and I are expecting our first baby this August, and there are lots of things that are unknown and scary about it. Being afraid and timid will not help me at all. But I know that being courageous, brave, and confident will help me on my journey. I don't know what the future holds, but I know that if I have the courage to always try my best and work through any obstacles, I will be as successful as an Olympic athlete.