Discover the 5 Life Lessons You Can Learn from the 2016 Rio Olympics

Undoubtedly, you have been following the 2016 Rio Olympics for the past few weeks; if not actively watching, then discussing it with others or at least listening to people chat about it. If you haven't, where have you been? I can scarcely believe it's over. What am I going to do with my evenings? At least "Bake Off" is back this week, so that's one evening covered. But I digress; back to the Olympics.

I adore the games. There are so many aspects of it to love: the awe-inspiring performances of the athletes, their sheer strength and unyielding determination to succeed, their unwavering commitment – it's all quite magnificent. I love how everyone gets involved. In the present age, it's a rare thing to talk to strangers in the street, but suddenly we all have a mutual topic to chat about, and it's socially acceptable to do so. I love the passion people show, and I love that for a brief two weeks, one's ethnicity, background, or gender becomes immaterial. I could go on forever; as you might have guessed, I'm a massive fan of the Olympics. But let me get to my point: here are five things that the 2016 Rio Olympics can teach us about life.

1) Reaching your goal is not the end; aim even higher!

Michael Phelps is a legend; he is superhuman. We can't all be like him – we can't even imagine swimming 200m fly in under two minutes. Heck, I'm not sure I could run down the street that fast. But let's not forget that he didn't win at his first Olympics. In 2000, at the tender age of 15, he became the youngest male athlete to secure a place in the American Olympic Swim Team in over six decades. He didn't win; he came in fifth in the 200 meter fly – an impressive achievement for a 15-year-old. Fast forward four years to the 2004 Athens Olympics, and he scores an unbelievable six golds in one Olympics. Surely, he's accomplished his dream. But no, fast forward again to the 2016 Rio Olympics, and he secures his 23rd Olympic gold medal. Insane. As Mr Phelps has shown time and again, once you reach your goal, set a new one and aim even higher. Don't ever settle for good enough.

2) Don't let anything stop you; age is just a number.

Nick Skelton is a wonder – can we take a moment to appreciate him, please? Nick Skelton has surpassed every conceivable expectation for this Olympics. At the ripe old age of 58, having retired from show jumping sixteen years earlier (after breaking his neck in two places, mind you) he went on to become Great Britain's 2nd oldest Olympian by winning gold in his 7th Olympic Games. Just like Nick, never let anything stop you from doing what you want to do or reaching any goals you have. We all know that age is a significant factor in the sports world; to be in your late 50s and still actively participating as a competitor (and not just as a coach or support) is truly impressive. More impressive still is to come back from a serious injury and scoop a gold medal at the Olympics. That really goes to show that you shouldn't let anything stop you from moving forward with your life and achieving your dreams.

3) Cherish your loved ones; they play an essential role in your life.

This may seem like an obvious point, but I felt it needed emphasis. I believe that as we grow older, particularly in this era, we become more and more dependent on technology. The digital world doesn't just run alongside real life; it infiltrates it. But we can't rely 100% on that; we need our family and friends for everything from love and support to intimacy and conversation, from someone to vent to and more. For the sportsmen and women who competed in the Olympics, their loved ones would have been there through thick and thin, supporting them every step of the way. I watched the final of the men's 5000m run with bated breath, praying for Mo Farah to win. And guess what? He did! Not only that, he secured the "double-double" – Mo is only the second man in history to retain his winning titles for the 5000m and the 10,000m at consecutive Olympics. I was on the edge of my seat, but it's worth it when you share those moments with loved ones.

The Olympics are always a time of excitement, emotion, and inspiration. One particular moment that stands out was during the 10000m race. It wasn't just the race itself that touched me, but what happened afterwards. Athletes often celebrate their victories with loved ones, and Mo Farah was no exception. In his winner's speech, he expressed his gratitude for his family's support and said he couldn't wait to go home and see his children and hang his medals around their necks. This sentiment holds true for many of us, as studies have shown that having a strong support system of family and friends leads to a longer, happier life.

However, along with success comes disappointment and failure. Watching Tom Daley compete in diving is a testament to the hard work and dedication required to achieve greatness. While he won a bronze medal in the 10m platform synchronized final, he was knocked out in the semi-final of the Men's 10m platform individual event. Despite his heartbreak, he remains focused on the future and is determined to continue working hard towards his goals. This teaches us that disappointment shouldn't hold us back and we should learn from our mistakes.

Lastly, we must remember that patience is a virtue. Kate Richardson-Walsh, captain of the GB Hockey Ladies team, competed in four Olympic games before finally winning gold in Rio. Her perseverance and dedication paid off, and she serves as a reminder that success may take time but it's worth the wait. We should never give up on our dreams and keep pushing forward towards our goals. In the end, hard work, support, and patience will lead us to victory.

In hindsight, there are five key takeaways we can derive from the Rio 2016 Olympics. Frankly, it's challenging to distill a singular essence from such a multifaceted event which, as a whole, exudes inspiration. The games, inclusive of all nations, races, and genders, showcase an exceptional display of equality. I'm curious, what was your personal source of motivation? Do share with me your gleaned life-lessons from this year's Olympic proceedings.