Virtual competition - not so new

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This morning -- for the first time since before Covid -- I swam laps in our local pool. Needless to say, my form was wobbly and my arms were noodly.

As I pulled myself out of the water, the swim team kids were walking onto the deck. From what I understand, their swim meets were done virtually during the height of the pandemic. Swimmers would compete in their home pools, then send their times to be compared with swimmers from other teams. 

My mind quickly jumped to Ludy Godbold, the athlete in my book, Long-armed Ludy and the First Women's Olympics. When Ludy tried out for the Women's Olympics (an international women's track and field meet), athletes competed in three different locations. Times were compared, then the team was chosen.

In other words, virtual competition isn't a new thing -- although in Ludy's day, I think it was called a "telegraphic" competition.

It's hard to imagine an athletic event without head-to-head competition. However, true athletes know how to adjust and compete, even under the most adverse conditions. 

As for the rest of us mortals? The pandemic is also teaching us to adjust and strive. And just like athletes, the result is growth.

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