U.S. Olympic Committee - Kyle

Over the last nine months I had the privilege to be an intern for the International Games Department at the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC). During this time I helped make and execute logistical plans for the Sochi Olympic Games and the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing China. My responsibilities included: outfitting athletes and staff in Nike and Ralph Lauren apparel, inventorying and shipping supplies to Russia, compiling an instruction manual for all of the staff members attending the Sochi Olympic Games, coordinating the transportation for athletes and staff in Sochi, and registering athletes and staff for the Games. Throughout all of these tasks I met great staff members and athletes who enriched my experience at the USOC. Instead of just learning about theories in a classroom, staff members taught me a lot about the Olympic Movement and international business.

One of the most challenging aspects of this internship was the lack of differentiation between my job and home life. During my internship I lived at the Olympic Training Center. At first, it was as if I were in sports heaven. However, my life quickly became one dimensional as I watched, read and talked about sports on a daily basis. In the beginning I loved it, but, after being surrounded by athletes all the time, I was made aware of some of the harsh realities of being an Olympic hopeful. The sacrifice the athletes make for their dreams is admirable, yet the devastating effects of missing the Olympic Team by hundredths of a second can cause a lot of people a lot of pain. These extremely high costs, which appear to only benefit a select few, can be heart wrenching yet inspirational as athletes overcome defeat and progress in other areas of their lives. Now more than ever I respect what it takes to win an Olympic medal; but, I have a deeper appreciation for the hundreds of world-class athletes who make significant contributions to their sports without ever enjoying a day in the Olympic spotlight due to circumstances beyond their control.

During my internship I had experiences that I never thought were possible. Some of the highlights include: going to Munich to prepare the U.S. athletes before they arrived at the Games in Sochi, having an all-access pass to the events at the Winter Olympic Games, witnessing different cultures become united through sport, and utilizing the new sports medicine and training facilities at the Olympic Training Center.  Many of these events occurred because the USOC provided me with the opportunity to travel while getting paid. During my time abroad, I learned to interact with high-profile individuals in effective ways. These and other events lead to emotional ups and downs during my internship that culminated as I watched the fireworks at closing ceremonies. I had an overwhelming feeling of joy and accomplishment as I witnessed the work of thousands of people come together to create one historical event. I felt so blessed to be a part of it. All of these experiences helped me to discover what I am truly passionate about and they motivated me to live a successful life. After getting a more intimate perspective on the lives of Olympic Champions, I know now that the gospel can bring me more happiness than any worldly honor.