Form Four candidates can glean life lessons from Olympic Games. More so, on the triumphant tale I told Form Four candidates, parents and teachers at Alliance Girls High School during their 2019 Form Four Prayer Day when I was there as their keynote speaker. The engrossing story of John Stephen Akwari is a true testament of how Olympian fortitude can assist Form Four candidates to succeed in KCSE.
The great athlete participated in the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico. It was a 42-kilometre race with 75 participants. Unfortunately, as they were doing the 19th kilometre, jostling to bag the big prize, John Stephen was knocked. He fell in a thud. He injured his knee. Fortunately, he did not dare to stay down. He did not dither. He did not succumb to defeat. He was able to repair his despair.
Perhaps, inspired by the wise words, do not cry, try. So, he collected himself with great grace. In the immortal words of Julius Caesar: Veni, vidi, vici. He came. He saw. He conquered. So, he rose. He ran. He finished. As usual, a legion of journalists crowded around him like a swarm of safari ants. The Fourth Estate enquired, “Now that you fell down, what inspired you to keep running.” He responded, “When my country sent me several miles from Tanzania to Mexico, they did not send me here to start a race. Instead, they sent me to finish the race.”
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The response of the great athlete is an encouragement to all Form Four candidates preparing to sit and write KCSE exams. Despite every change and challenge, they should brace up for thrills and hills ahead. In Gem, in lep Luo, we say jiw dendi. They should develop thick skins. They should be made of some sterner stuff. They should put their best feet forward. They should clench their fists. They should grit their teeth. Toiling and moiling. Never saying never. For no tears, no cheers. No pain, no gain. No sweat, no sweet. No price, no prize.
Now, as I sit to write at Shalom Centre (place of peace) on Ngong Road in Nairobi, I know, in most schools, teachers have completed the Form Four syllabus. So far, so good, most schools are focusing on stupendous revision strategies, in strict adherence to best academic practices and programmes. There are tintinnabulation of bells signaling homestretch. They can stretch their necks and see the finishing line. As a peripatetic speaker in schools in over 40 counties, my cache of experience tells me that Form Four candidates need Olympian fortitude to succeed.
Being a Form Four candidate is not a walk in the park. Instead, it is a Herculean task. In Greek Mythology, the hero Hercules, son of the god Zeus by a human mother, was famous for his super-human strength. As penance for a madness-induced murder spree, he was forced to perform some 12 enormously difficult tasks, or “labors.” Splendid indeed, the great feats he accomplished explain how Herculean in the 16th Century came to be used for any superb job or task that is extremely difficult or calls for enormous strength.
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Back to the gist of this writ, in serious schools Form Four Class is a school within a school. They sit in class for long. Programmes are tight. Stress and tension takes a toll on them. Pressure is palpable. And we all know, pressure can break pipes. But Form Four candidates can seek solace and peace in this: Precious things are products of pressure, not pleasure.
Through it all, with Olympian fortitude, Form Four candidates can manage to emerge victorious. To bring you to the basis of this thesis, Olympian fortitude is the exceptional mental strength and resilience displayed by elite athletes. Ideally, it encompasses the ability to withstand intense pressure and see advantage in adversity. It is maintaining focus (following one course until successful) and great grit throughout the demanding journey to, and during, the Olympic Games. This includes: handling setbacks, tackling tension and pressure, managing performance anxiety, and maintaining positive mental attitude (PMA) amidst high expectations and stiff completion.
Therefore, before I conclude: I dote on Pauline’s epistles, which Form Four candidates can reflect on as they run the last lap. Paraphrasing 1 Corinthians 9:24-26, he writes that in every race, all the athletes run, but only one is poised to receive the prize. In Olympics, we have prizes such as gold, silver and bronze.
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For Form Four candidates, they have grades to scoop. All grades count, but they do not attract same opportunities after high school. In the scripture I have quoted, Apostle Paul mentions the crown. He mentions that competitors in any game must go through strict training.
Meaning, great athletes know, showing up for Olympics takes 90% preparation and 10% winning. Plenty of practice is the top tip. No wonder, Form Four candidates should know, strict training takes diligence. Overcoming laziness, lassitude and attitude of finitude. Strict training takes discipline: the disciple following the line. In 2 Timothy 2:5, Paul the apostle makes it plain, and if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the raft of rules. Discipline is also accepting pain preceding gain again and again. For after school, life presents two types of pain: the pain of discipline, and the pain of regret.
Sad indeed, the pain of regret comes with these pensive words: “I wish I knew”. I wish I knew; I would have avoided wayward friends. I wish I knew; I would have been a diligent student. I wish I knew; I would have focused on books more than looks. I wish I knew; I would have listened to teachers and preachers. For Hebrews 2:1 warns: “Take heed of what you are told so that you do not drift away from the way.”
Victor Ochieng’
The writer rolls out academic talks in schools. He speaks in Form Four Prayer Days. vochieng.90@gmail.com. 0704420232
