Ilene Bauer Poet Rhyme

Olympic Pressure

Imagine being Katie or Naomi or Simone.
The world has expectations and it won’t leave you alone.
Your performances’ perfection has been touted and extolled,
So anything will be a loss if it won’t get the gold.

Well, pressure takes its toll and therefore, even with the buffers
Of team and coach support, sometimes a well-rehearsed act suffers.
Katie* gets the silver as the Aussie’s time is faster;
Naomi** loses to a Czech, a Japanese disaster.

And Simone***, the gymnast everyone believes to be the best
Leaves the competition early, feeling out of sorts and stressed.
It seems the build-up is too much and many athletes just
Cannot function when their hopes and dreams may suddenly combust.

*Katie Ledecky   **Naomi Osaka   ***Simone Biles

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Caren Krutsinger July 31, 2021 at 7:26 PM I feel like you are there, writing commentary. So thank you!

Rico Leffanta July 28, 2021 at 11:19 AM Well said, Ilene! It was reported that Simone thrives on audience approval and was lost without it.

Jan Allison July 27, 2021 at 3:32 PM so much pressure and expectations run high, no wonder the athletes are stressed and add on the covid factor too, I admire them all for their dedication and am in awe of their talents:-) hugs jan xx