I lived in the rink
Cold and Damp
I lived on the field painted in white lines
Lit by the scorching sun or blistering winds
I've seen things you could not imagine
I've done things you cannot comprehend
I've stuck up for my team-mates
I've popped shoulders back in place
Treated wounds, sewed gashes
I've sacrificed every inch of my body
To feel triumph and success
But there is a limitation
I will never destroy my opponents
As this is not war
Nor am I a warrior
I am human
My respect is endless regardless of our feud
I've seen people hand their jerseys to those less fortunate
I've strived to make my opponents tap out
But as they begin to lose consciousness
I've removed their mouth guard and supported their neck
I've hugged and cried for what we do for the love of the sport
I watched a wrestler of only 11, orchestrate a loss
To his opponent whom had cerebral palsy
Question my desire to succeed
But I will never elevate this desire over someone who needs to succeed
I am a fierce competitor but I will never harm my opponents
I will pick up the soccer ball if my opponent lays in agony
I’ve watched a man tear his hamstring
Yet limp and crawl down the track
Because he will never sink to a quitter
It’s worth more than a win
Its personal growth
I've seen old team-mates now opponents
Hand over awards
With the utmost open heart and congratulations
And although they are against each other on paper
This does not disperse them
Their respect and love for the person did not seep between the cracks in the ice
I’ve defeated my opponents and lifted their heads
To congratulate them for how hard they’ve worked
At the end of the day a trophy sits on your shelf
Win or lose, the success is growing beyond what once was your capacity
I’ve seen man and boy carry their family through triathlons
Swimming across lakes with ropes tied to the boat where their member rests
Carrying the weight of 150lbs on the front of their bikes
Push the extra weight in a wheel chair
Because they did not seek success
They seek the moment of triumph and achievement
To share with their family
To force them to experience overcoming the impossible
How can you disguise the power of sport?
How can you disguise its beauty?
Its successes and failures?
Its heart breaks and companionship?
The power of sport unites us as a society
Never disrespect its illuminated opportunity
Never shun those who've experienced its chaos
At our most vulnerable lows
Your friends, family, opponents and bystanders
Will always be here for you
Because this is what sport ignites
The fiery flame burning through the pits of your stomach
Capsizing your heart
Forcing you to show respect for one another
Sports is not about receiving the gold medal
Its about becoming faster, smarter, stronger, quicker
Ultimately better than you once were
The bar that once barricaded you from success
Becomes in-existent
Because you've grown and overcome the barrier that stands before you
And this should never come at the cost of your opponent
For as long as they are your opponent
You will respect them
Because like Canada’s Prime Minister once said;
We may be opponents but we are never enemies
Think twice before you disgrace the numerous games
Which have written millions of memories
I’ve been there
The power of sport is undeniable
You should crave the highest level of achievement
For not only yourself
But your opponents too
Respect their mental capacity and push them
To be better than the man that stares back at them every morning
Do not ever disrespect the power of sport
As you will experience moments which will be tattoos to your mind until you pass
You are as good as your work ethic
The trophy is only a bonus
The gold medal is staring yourself dead in the eyes
And recognizing you've grown
Recognizing you respect and love your opponents
Despite your differences
Recognizing that you will do anything it takes
To help others become 1% than they once were
Because the smile it brings to their face
And the fire it starts in their heart will never die
There pride will elevate beyond the furthest stars
All because of you
So I plead you,
Get off your couch
Step away from your computer
Roll out of bed
Step away from the kitchen
And work as hard as you can
To achieve something you want
Something you want to bad that you cannot even explain your desire
I grew up being told nothing will ever stand in my way
I will achieve everything I put my mind to
With an unstoppable work ethic, respect and desire to achieve
I will become better every day
So why shouldn't you?

Having many irons on fire
Willing to die in harness tire
Take boll by horns to weather
Bound with the birds of feather
Sweat, thirst being leap in dark
Can see rotten vest pale mark!

Yet throw gauntlet to cut a gardian knot
Exalte the trap wince it's fate wrote
By the pinch of salt to stop
Make out rest on laurels! nope
Being at sea about own strife
Do i drag it or the life!!