As I watch the Olympic games unfold, I am drawn to the many stories of all of these great athletes from all over the world.  Some of them are athletes that the world already knows, while a good majority are stepping out of a shadow and onto a stage that is unfamiliar territory.  My favorite stories are the one's that depict battling all odds, just to get to compete for their country.  The definition of victory is very different for the entire spectrum.  Competing and representing your country as its top athletic hope carries so much weight for a lot of these young men and women.  Many relish the opportunity to be able to be responsible for the hopes and dreams of an entire nation.  Although the world will focus on publicizing the pictures of those that won, let us not forget to give much credit for the multitude that will not make it to the front page of a news story.  Each of those athletes whose family and friends have stood by over the years proudly in support of their personal triumph deserve their moment in the sun.  To those that made it to this level and were able to walk in the opening ceremonies or the not too distant closing ones, I salute all of you for everything that you have endured.  More importantly I am proud that these athletes gave the world a lesson through sports, that we can tear overcome any barrier and for two entire weeks showed the world what equality looks like.