The Olympics is not about sport alone. It is, more importantly, about the depths and limits of human endeavor. And legendary Olympians, by the sheer weight of their endurance, determination and grit – demonstrated over the years through powerful performances on the world’s biggest sporting stage – are the biggest living and shining examples of this endeavour.
The Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games will also feature such Olympic legends who are carrying forward the torch, lit once upon a time by such names as Jesse Owens, Mark Spitz, Nadia Comaneci, Carl Lewis and the likes. Some of those would also be seen at an Olympics for the last time.
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Here we try and profile six of those absolute Olympic legends who would be looking at the Rio Games as one final act of a dream saga- which has been their career in the sport they so love and have pursued as a profession.
#1 Robert Scheidt
Let us start with the hosts. It will be fair to say that it is because of legends such as Robert Scheidt, that countries get to host the Olympic Games. Imagine a country bidding to host an Olympic Games not having even one legendary Olympian in their ranks. It will feel strange, would it not?
Robert Scheidt, Brazil’s champion sailor ticks all the boxes to qualify for Olympic legend status. Longevity, as this will be his sixth Olympics on the trot. Versatility, given he has Olympic medals both in the Laser and Star sailing classes. Mastery over the sport, given he has won medals in every Olympic he has participated so far.
An absolute champion, it would be a stuff of dreams if Scheidt at 43 is able to sign-off with yet another Olympic Gold (he has two already) and add to his collection of five Olympic medals in front of his home fans.
#2 Serena Williams
Williams recently equaled the German Steffi Graf’s record of 22 Women’s Grand Slam singles titles, when she won the Wimbledon this year. Over three Olympics, the American also has four Gold medals, including one in singles which she won at the London Games in 2012 and three in doubles along with her sister Venus.
The fact that she is the best female player to have ever played the sport of Tennis, is no longer a matter of debate. What remains to be seen is whether her hunger for more Olympic Gold is still intact. Because frankly, if it is and if she is fit, there is no way the Women’s singles and doubles crown in Tennis at Rio is going anywhere else.
And our take on it is- if she has said she is going to Rio, she is going there for Gold.
#3 Usain Bolt
Jamaican and global sprint superstar Usain Bolt is another Olympic legend who has already announced that Rio 2016 will be his last Olympic games. ‘Lightning Bolt’ as he is lovingly referred to by his awestruck fans, has not only resurrected sprinting from its dope-ridden depths of a decade ago, but has also raised the bar so high that it will take some beating for years to come.
Bolt holds the world record in both the 100m (9.58sec) and 200m (19.19) sprints and he has held them for over seven years now with no one even coming near. Every time he has run in his previous two Olympics, he has won Gold, for a total of six Olympic Golds till date.
A hamstring scare in the build-up to Rio notwithstanding, Bolt has recently announced he is feeling good. And that cannot be good news for his rivals.
#4 Jamie Dwyer
37-year old Australian men’s hockey forward Jamie Dwyer is the oldest player in the side. But to quote him, he feels that he is “running around like I’m 25’’. What better testimony of fitness, passion, love for the sport- you name it.
Going to his fourth Olympics, Dwyer has one Olympic Gold and two Olympic Bronze medals to boot. This is in addition to two World Cup titles, five international player of the year honours and 359 Test caps. Jamie Dwyer is definitely going to Rio for Gold.
#5 Lin Dan
Super Dan, as he widely known is not only an Olympic legend, but just like Serena Williams, is widely regarded as the best man to have ever played the sport of badminton. The Chinese superstar won the singles Gold at both the Beijing and the London games.
This, in addition to his five World titles and six All-England titles of course. He is 32 now and not the force he once used to be, given a series of losses in recent times to players who would otherwise not stand a chance. However, the thing with Lin Dan has always been that he loves the big stage and comes into his own.
A recent quip by an official of the Malaysian Badminton federation that Lin Dan was no longer a challenge for Malaysian star Lee Chong Wei in his quest to win an Olympic Gold, might just be the motivation Super Dan was looking for.
#6 Bradley Wiggins
Briton Bradley Wiggins is another consummate sports professional and an absolute Olympic legend, and we will all be lucky to see in action at the Rio games. He is 36 today and has literally won all there is to be won in the sport of cycling.
Apart from his seven Olympic medals, which includes four Golds, Wiggins has also won outside of the cycling track on the road. In fact, he won the Tour de France in 2012. In addition, he also has eight world championship crowns, both in tie trail and pursuit events.
Now in his final and fifth Olympics, Wiggins will look to make Rio a swansong to remember.
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