The best kids are going to become the best. But the best thing

When Carl Lewis proclaimed, “The best kids are going to become the best. But the best thing about it is that you’re going to learn lessons in playing those sports about winning and losing and teamwork and teammates and arguments and everything else that are going to affect you positively for the rest of your life,” he spoke as one who knew both the triumphs of victory and the humbling depths of defeat. His words are not merely about competition, but about the eternal school of character that athletics provides. He reminds us that the measure of sport is not only in medals, but in the invisible lessons carried forward into every chapter of life.

The ancients understood this well. The Olympic Games in Greece were never only contests of strength or speed—they were ceremonies of the spirit. A runner might cross the finish line first, but the true prize was not the olive wreath placed upon his head; it was the endurance, the discipline, and the humility that training and competing had instilled within him. Lewis’ words echo this truth: the best will rise, but even those who never claim the crown walk away with treasures that no gold can match.

To speak of winning and losing is to speak of life itself. Every man and woman will know both in their journey, for life does not allow constant triumph. Sports, in their wisdom, give us practice in both—teaching us to lift our heads high in victory without arrogance, and to rise after defeat without despair. These lessons, learned in childhood games or youthful contests, become anchors when the storms of adult life strike.

And consider teamwork and teammates. On the field, no one truly stands alone, even in individual events, for behind each competitor are coaches, friends, and rivals who sharpened their edge. Through sport we learn to rely on others, to argue and reconcile, to share glory and to carry one another through hardship. These lessons are not left behind when the games end; they become the foundation of families, friendships, and communities.

History shows us examples of this truth. Think of the great Roman legions, where discipline and unity made common men into an unstoppable force. A legionnaire was not the strongest soldier alone, but the strongest as part of a line, shield to shield, heart to heart. Without the lessons of cooperation, Rome’s might would have collapsed. So too does Carl Lewis remind us that in arguments, in teammates, in the trials of play, we are formed into people capable of withstanding the greater battles of life.

Lewis’ words also carry a humility rare in champions. As one of the greatest athletes of his age, he acknowledges that while natural talent elevates some, the true gift of sport is shared by all. Even those who never win a race walk away richer, for the lessons of effort, failure, and unity are universal. To enter into the game is to enter into a lifelong education of the heart.

The lesson for us is clear: seek not only the crown of victory, but the wisdom hidden in the struggle. Play, strive, compete—not merely to win, but to learn. Take with you the patience forged in losing, the courage drawn from facing rivals, the humility learned in arguments, and the loyalty tested in the bonds of teammates. These will serve you in every chamber of life, far beyond the field of play.

Practically, this means embracing sports—or any disciplined pursuit—not only for the glory they promise, but for the lessons they teach. Encourage children not only to chase victory, but to reflect on what each contest revealed about themselves. For in this reflection lies the true power of athletics: a lifelong guide for character, resilience, and community. And in these lessons, as Lewis says, the blessings endure long after the games are over.