I love this video…which was filmed in 2010 prior to Alexandre Bilodeau’s gold medal in the Olympics that year in Vancouver. He followed it up with yet another gold medal this year again in Sochi. This video highlights the mutual respect and inspiration two brothers have for each other, in a way that inspires both of them to be better people:
This year, when Alexandre won again, he eagerly looked in the stands
Bilodeau sought out his brother again on Monday after becoming the first Canadian to repeat as an Olympic gold medallist.
But what was also noticeable was that 32-year-old Frederic now has trouble standing up; that since Vancouver, his condition has deteriorated…
He said Frederic was his source of inspiration over the last four years.
“I have a family, a great girlfriend, a team of trainers, but the
person who motivates me to go through the highs and lows is my brother,”
said Bilodeau
It just warms a person, even in the blustery, cold, snowy winter to see two brothers enrich each others lives. Frederic led the way onto the slopes…his disability introducing his brother to the slopes that would one day make him a national hero. Watching Frederic meet and beat the challenges his cerebral palsy placed in front of him inspired Alexandre to go out, and push himself hard daily…and when the difference between first and second is fractions of points/seconds, maybe it was that extra workout here and there that wasn’t skipped that made the difference.
Most of all, watching Frederic meet his struggles with profound dignity has inspired Alexandre to be profoundly grateful for the opportunity to show up and work hard.
It’s a relationship that bring a grown man to tears in its beauty. We all grow a little bigger, a little warmer, a little friendlier, and a little happier when we a brother love his brother so effusively.
We are made for connection…and Frederic and Alexandre are one more example of how powerful connection is.
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