99

1904 was a really busy year for the city of Saint Louis, MO. Along with the World Fair, that summer and fall the city bested Chicago in the heated competition to host the third Olympiad in modern times (following Athens and Paris). Among the many athletic highlights, the Saint Louis Games saw the debut of diving as an Olympic discipline, and winners receiving gold, silver and bronze medals for the first time.

The 50-yard Freestyle Final (not yet held in a pool, but in an artificial lake) would become one of the most contested in Olympic history. Eventually won by Zoltán Halmay, it was held twice – in the first one, John Scott Leary originally tied with Halmay (both recording a time of 28.2 seconds). After the American swimmer complained about unsportsmanlike conduct from his Hungarian opponent, a tense swim-off was held (with two false starts) – Halmay finished first in 28.0, with Leary getting the silver medal at 28.6.

Although most of us may not compete as Olympic athletes, we often find ourselves in a similar situation: we aspire to reach a goal, work tirelessly towards it, make our best attempt to achieve it, and occasionally climb our own personal podium. Other times…we go back to our starting point, and we start swimming again. Perhaps because our lives call us to pursue something different, or perhaps because our initial aim is no longer in reach.

Optimism helps us engage all our character strengths so we can appreciate yard 49 (or 99) – the moment before – as much as yard 50 (or 100) – our moment.