CONNECTION: Exploring the Spectator-Athlete Relationship

The athlete is exhausted. You can see the sweat rolling down his face. You can see his muscles twitch and quiver under the weight of the barbell. He yells, and the crowd erupts. You are suddenly standing on your feet, screaming “UP”, screaming his name, screaming anything, because you know his is capable. You believe in him and all of a sudden it is imperative he makes this lift. You want this victory. You glance around you and see that everyone wants this victory. The energy is contagious and with the entire crowd supporting him, he presses the barbell to full lockout in an unbelievable example of determination.

On the opposite side of the gate, the athlete is in her zone. She doesn’t hear the music, doesn’t see the people. Only the barbell in front of her is real. This is the last lift of the day and she knows her technique is fading. She sets her body and grips the bar. Her clean is flawless, but as she jerks it above her head, her muscles spasm. She is not going to make this lift. She is exhausted and maybe she should drop the bar, but in her moment of hesitation, the crowd suddenly comes into focus. Hundreds of people are in front of her and they are screaming. They stand up and yell her name and the noise seems to vibrate off her skin, it is so powerful. She pushes harder and the bar no longer seems as heavy as it did a split second ago.

Have you been here before, in this moment? As athlete or spectator, this is a meaningful moment. One of those moments in sport that you can take home with you, reflect on it, and bring it back out when you need some inspiration.

The spectator – athlete relationship is a powerful one. On one hand, we are lucky, as spectators. The athletes in front of us are giving it their maximum effort, putting on quite a show, for our entertainment. We often pick favorites and cheer for those we admire, while failing to appreciate the work it took behind the scenes…the hours of preparation and training, for a few moments of glorious victory over a barbell, a finish line, a game point. On the other hand, we are lucky as athletes. Spectators pay money to watch us compete! They often travel from their homes to spend entire weekends with us, to sit in uncomfortable stadiums, in busy crowds, or in foul weather. They pour their hearts into us as they learn our names, cheer when we succeed and coach us when we fail. The give us their energy reserves when we have nothing left to give ourselves.

The connection between the spectator and athlete is truly unique. There are moments, maybe you locked eyes with an athlete, maybe you reached your PR because of the cheering crowd, or maybe somebody became your hero, but there are moments that can last a lifetime. You never know who you will inspire or who might be cheering for you. You never know how powerful that connection may be.

Thank you to all the athletes who have inspired me and to everyone who has ever cheered for me. We may have only connected for a moment and we never meet outside the world of sport, but you have contributed to my life in powerful ways. I am a better version of myself because of you.