It's important to give kids a variety of sports. Everyone is an

In the words of Ellie Simmonds, “It’s important to give kids a variety of sports. Everyone is an individual, everyone is different, but there is a sport out there for everyone.” Though spoken in simple tones, these words carry the weight of ancient wisdom, for they remind us that the path to strength, joy, and confidence is not one road alone, but many. The child is not a vessel to be forced into a single mold, but a soul with its own rhythm, waiting to discover the field, the pool, the court, or the track that awakens its spirit. Simmonds, herself a champion born from the waters of the swimming pool, speaks with the authority of one who found her destiny in movement, and who knows that countless others await their own discovery.

The heart of her teaching lies in the recognition of individuality. Too often society measures children by one narrow standard: the fastest, the strongest, the tallest. Yet Simmonds proclaims that everyone is different, and within those differences lie hidden gifts. The child who stumbles on the running track may find grace upon the dance floor. The child who struggles with team games may flourish in the stillness of archery or the solitude of climbing. To offer a variety of sports is to honor the infinite diversity of the human spirit.

The ancients understood this truth as well. In the great festivals of Olympia, athletes did not all compete in one discipline, but in many: wrestling, javelin, chariot racing, discus, and running. Each event drew forth a different strength, a different talent. The Greeks knew that excellence was not singular but manifold, and that every man could find a contest that revealed his own virtue. Simmonds’ words echo this same ancient wisdom: there is a sport for everyone, and in finding it, one finds not only skill but also identity.

History gives us luminous examples of this principle. Consider Wilma Rudolph, who as a child suffered from polio and was told she would never walk again. Her first steps were halting, fragile things. Yet through persistence she discovered her path in running. In time, she became the fastest woman in the world, a triple Olympic gold medalist. Had she been forced into a sport unsuited to her body and spirit, her greatness might never have been revealed. Her story proves that within every child lies a hidden flame, waiting for the right sport to ignite it.

The emotional power of Simmonds’ words also lies in their compassion. She does not speak as one who conquered easily, but as one who understands struggle. As a Paralympic swimmer, she faced obstacles and prejudice, yet through sport she found empowerment and triumph. Her vision is not limited to the gifted few but extends to every child, whether strong or frail, shy or bold. Her call is not to shape all into champions, but to give all the chance to discover joy, resilience, and belonging through movement.

What, then, is the lesson for us? It is to remember that the task of guiding the young is not to impose a single destiny but to open many doors. Parents, teachers, and mentors must not seek to craft perfect replicas of themselves but must nurture the individuality of each soul. To offer children a variety of sports is to tell them: “You matter, your uniqueness matters, and there is a place where your gifts will shine.” In that place, they will not only learn skill but also discipline, camaraderie, and the strength to face life itself.

So, O listener, carry this wisdom into your life: encourage exploration, not confinement. Do not scorn the child who abandons one game for another, but celebrate the courage to search for what fits the soul. Remember that there is a sport for everyone, just as there is a path for everyone. And when the child finds it, stand aside and let them run, swim, leap, or climb into their destiny.

For in the end, Simmonds’ teaching is not about sports alone—it is about life itself. We are not all called to the same task, but each of us is called to something. And just as every child can find a sport that awakens their heart, so every person can find a purpose that makes their spirit sing. The duty of those who guide is to make the search possible. The duty of those who live is to keep searching until they find it.