MANDY BUJOLD, IN RED, WAS COMPETING IN HER FIRST OLYMPICS AND WAS HOSPITALIZED THE NIGH BEFORE HER QUARTER-FINAL BOUT. (CHRISTIAN PETERSEN/AFP-GETTY IMAGES)

As I have had occasion to tune into some of the olympic coverage, I was struck by a story that many may have missed or overlooked. Boxer Mandy Bujold had a disappointing finish to the Rio Olympics after she lost her bout on points.  On CBC’s coverage, Clara Hughes helped by adding some perspective to this story. Mandy had been sick and went straight from having an IV in her arm, as she lay in a hospital bed, to the venue for her event.

Clara Hughes said, “bringing all you have is what matters.”

‘I don’t do anything unless I do it 100 per cent,’ Bujold says.

So many athletes have the experience of participating in the olympics yet, fail to collect a medal, so Clara’s quote to bring your best is very significant. Clara cited her experience of cycling and finishing second last (in her first Olympics)  but said that this experience “changed her.” Clara later earned medals in summer & winter Olympics so she knows the importance of bringing your best.

The reality is bringing all you have may vary depending on situations faced each day, some of which are beyond your control. Some may say winning is all that matters, but isn’t what you bring to the game just as or even more important? It is great to finish on the podium, but living your life everyday knowing you have given a 100% effort is truly rewarding. Isn’t being faithful and bringing all you have what matters most? Can you say the same for your everyday work has Bujold said?

“I don’t do anything unless I do it 100%”