Cyclists Concentrate

CYCLISTS CONCENTRATE on where they’re headed and not where they’ve been. In the 1984 Olympics, Connie Carpenter-Phinney managed to move ahead at the last moment using a technique known to every young biker.

The Los Angeles Games hosted women’s cycling for the first time. Despite the 92-degree temperature, over 200,000 spectators lined the 9.85-mile course winding around the suburb of Mission Viejo. As the race unfolded, six competitors, including Americans Carpenter-Phinney and Rebecca Twigg, emerged from the 45-member contingent to battle for the lead.

They raced neck and neck until the final 500 meters, when Italy’s Maria Canins broke for the finish. Almost like a choreographed routine, Carpenter-Phinney, Twigg, Norway’s Unni Larsen, and West Germany’s Sandra Schumacher formed a line behind her rear wheel. Schumacher moved in front with 200 meters remaining, flanked on either side by the two Americans.

Twigg gained a slight advantage 100 meters from the finish, but Carpenter-Phinney, a former Olympic speed skater, caught up with three meters to go. Remembering her husband’s advice, she lifted her body from the saddle, throwing the handlebars toward the finish line like a kid jumping a curb. The trick propelled the bike forward about eight inches, her margin of victory over Twigg.

Both riders received official times of 2:11.14, but Carpenter-Phinney’s extra push forward claimed the gold. Twigg took the silver, and Schumacher received the bronze.

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POINT Connie Carpenter-Phinney’s little trick gave her an exciting victory in an incredible race. Her eyes misted atop the medal stand watching the Stars and Stripes ascend as the “Star-Spangled Banner” played. As she’d pressed for the prize, eight inches had meant that gold now hung around her neck.

The apostle Paul must have been an athlete. Or at least he may have been a fan of sports. He wrote to the Philippians, comparing his life with Jesus to a race. He urged Christians to live as athletes, pressing on toward the future.

GOAL! Ride a bike, walk in a park, or jog through your neighborhood. Concentrate on pressing forward instead of remaining behind. Praise God that when you ask him, he forgets your past as well.