The 2024 Summer Olympics are in full swing, with events taking place over a two-week span in Paris. The positives of sport are shining through, showing us the lessons we can learn along the way. Players, coaches and parents can all benefit from the examples of teamwork, sportsmanship and athleticism on display.

But what can a summer event that doesn’t include ice hockey teach us about the game?

Just like hockey teaches our kids life skills that they can apply to the classroom, workplace and their communities, the Olympics are a prime showcase of the pinnacles of what we hope our players will learn while at the rink.

The athletes competing dedicated years of their lives for these moments. They’ve established a work ethic and practiced their skills to see the results of their hard work, a responsibility they can take ownership of. For hockey players, this can be practicing their skills in the driveway or basement when off the ice, and making sure their equipment is clean and hockey bag is packed.

Of course, our players would be nothing without the dedicated coaches. You’ll see them on the sidelines, shouting encouragement to their athletes and providing positive feedback on their routines and performance. They are just as much a part of this in making it all happen.

On the field you’ll see teammates uplifting each other and doing whatever the team needs. In USA Basketball, perhaps one of the greatest men’s rosters ever assembled, NBA champion Jayson Tatum was the only player to not see the floor in the team’s opening game. Meanwhile, roleplayer Derrick White played an important role on defence and facilitating the ball on offence. This shows anyone has the ability to step up at any given moment, and why it matters to give all players the experience in different scenarios like powerplays and penalty kills.

Just like in hockey, you can’t win every game or competition. Players learn how to win and lose with grace and shake hands with their opponents. You’ll see the gymnasts, skateboarders and artistic events acknowledge and thank the judges and crowd after their routines.

The Olympics are known for creating new national heroes and seeing new names emerge in some of the less mainstream sports makes it easy to root for the underdog. Anybody can win on any given night.

Canada had never reached the semi-finals in Fencing at the Olympics until this year. Eleanor Harvey broke that streak, reaching new heights and earning a bronze medal in the sport. She improved on her result each Olympics, finishing seventh in the individual foil in 2016 and fifth in the team foil in 2020 and now third place.

The Olympics show the value of community and supporting one another. The Olympic Village allows for all of Team Canada to live together and learn about each other’s sports. You may even see athletes in the stands, watching and cheering on their ‘extended’ teammates. Let’s take the excitement and teamwork we see at the Games and bring that spirit to the rink!