【前進東奧】42歲媽冒著癱瘓風險也要try　美國奧運跳水金牌挑戰人生再登峰

2000年雪梨奧運，威金森（Laura Wilkinson）在女子跳水10米跳台項目上演老八傳奇，奪下美國史上第一面跳水金牌，現在她已經是一位42歲的媽媽，卻決心要再為自己拚一次奧運。

「你必須有一個目標，才能一直前進。」2008年，威金森因為想當媽媽而決定退休，離開賽場後，她如願擁有幸福的家庭，生了兩個小孩，還領養兩個孩子； 4年前的里約奧運，她和孩子們在電視機前收看跳水比賽，竟浮現捲土重來的想法，威金森覺得自己就是為跳水而生，所以她要給自己一個重返五環跳台的機會。

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family- noun ____________________________ life’s greatest blessing. a group that dreams, laughs, plays and loves together. those whom you can always count on. always present not only in the good times. the most precious gift.

A post shared by Laura Wilkinson OLY (@lala_the_diver) on Apr 22, 2020 at 4:41pm PDT

老虎伍茲（Tiger Woods）跟小威廉絲（Serena Williams）回歸賽場時應該都有這般決心，但威金森面臨的挑戰可能比他們還要大，因為背部神經損傷，她在2018年曾接受頸椎、脊椎手術，若以超過時速60公里的速度從10公尺跳台落水，只要一個小小的失誤，就可能面臨癱瘓的危險。

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It’s a new year and a brand new me, six days post op. . When you’re an Olympic & World Champion, it can feel a bit silly to count doing your own hair, getting dressed by yourself and doing some lunges as a win. But today, it was. . There are times in all of our lives where we are forced to start over again on some level. God has been gracious to have allowed me to have to do this many times in many different ways. . It can be frustrating, infuriating, and disheartening when you go into it with the mindset of where you used to be. . But… . When you are willing to let that go and truly start all over from scratch (while it’s certainly not easy), in a beautiful way it humbles you, begins to encourage you and rebuilds your passion, determination and confidence in an entirely new and stronger way. . While what I’m walking through may look difficult from the outside, and there are definitely going to be those hard moments, I know without a doubt that this is a gift. This is an opportunity for me to start over with a truly blank slate. I’ve been given a chance to walk through a tough challenge and utilize my strengths and gifts once again. . And I know that every time I get to use my gifts and strengths, I feel empowered, fulfilled, in worship and at peace. . Thank you God for the opportunity to walk through this challenge. Please use it for my good and for Your glory. . #startingover

A post shared by Laura Wilkinson OLY (@lala_the_diver) on Jan 1, 2019 at 4:29pm PST

不過威金森鬥志驚人，雪梨奧運時，她以排名第8進入決賽，還一腳赤腳、一腳穿著運動鞋爬上樓梯，因為當時她的腳趾有傷，必須靠運動鞋減緩用力的疼痛，當時有評論員稱她只是來「陪榜」，沒想到卻拿下金牌，辛苦突破困境的情節，她一點也不陌生，所以這次她也沒在怕。

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This was part of a super fun @glamourmag shoot over a decade ago. Sporting a fancy dress while flipping on the trampoline is my idea of a good time! ✨ The past can be a tricky thing. Thinking about it can take you away to a wonderful time full of sweet memories that quickly warm your heart. But it can also take you to painful places that darken your spirit. ✨ While it’s good to reflect on and learn from the past, it’s not good to dwell on it so much that you forget the present moment you are living in. ✨ Each day is a gift. Make sure you are taking it all in because in the blink of an eye, it will be in the past, too. ✨ Give this post some love if you’re going to live for today!

A post shared by Laura Wilkinson OLY (@lala_the_diver) on Aug 7, 2018 at 1:56pm PDT

除此之外，明年即將43歲的威金森也被懷疑年紀太大，不過小時候原本是競技體操選手的她，10多歲才轉戰跳水，也曾因為年齡被教練拒絕，所以這也不是她第一次被看輕，即使現在和威金森一起訓練的選手，在她拿到奧運金牌時甚至還沒出生，仍無法阻擋她的慾望。

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I was broken, shattered. Physically. Emotionally. Mentally. But I’ve learned that when God calls you, you don’t need to be ready. You just have to say “yes.” When you say “yes” He begins to rebuild you, piece by broken piece, molding and equipping you for what lies ahead. When you’re broken, it’s an opportunity for God to do His very best work in you. Trust Him with the broken pieces. He is an artist with a purpose and a plan for your life. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. – 2 Corinthians 12:9. Tag a friend who needs this, save it for you to remember or share it in your story to encourage those around you today.❤️

A post shared by Laura Wilkinson OLY (@lala_the_diver) on Jan 30, 2020 at 4:12pm PST