The victory step

Dear Ana Derek,

The fate of a long and difficult journey is not defined by the last step.

Each step counts. Each one of it is a victory!

The podium, a grade or somebody's else opinion does not represent much. After all, what people do know about what you had gone thru to get where you got?

The way, only this, is the real victory. If there are mistakes on the way, victory will be better. Errors make it even greater.

Before the medal, you felt fear, pain, weak and hopeless. All those feelings, your fight and sacrifice, that were your real test.

The medal... Well, the medal, it's a piece of metal that doesn't test anything, just compare us.

Do not let disappointment be your last step. Victory has come in the dream, courage, hope, strength and the joy to reach where you had. At the end, you were able to win a lot more before the end. You were able to overcome yourself.

Victories over others do not represent as much as the victory over ourselves.

Thus, world athletes and warriors of life, step up the podium. We want to applaud you, and dream of, one day, we could be like you.