Video Transcript
Hi, I’m Chris Mazdzer, Olympic silver medalist in the sport of luge and TrueSport Athlete Ambassador. Today I want to talk with you about teamwork. While it’s true that I compete in an individual sport, I am also part of one of the largest teams in the world, Team USA. When I look back on my time in sport, there are three guiding principles I like to apply when I consider my role as a team player.
First, as teammates, it’s important to appreciate one another’s roles if we want to maximize team success. Secondly, by improving our own skills, we are improving the team as well. And lastly, teamwork is only possible when it becomes unimportant who receives the credit for winning. The flag on the front of the jersey. Needs to be so much more important than the individual name on the helmet.
Luge is an individual sport, which means my teammates? They’re my direct competitors. And we compete not only for resources, spots on the World Cup team, but ultimately the podium. When we go to another track outside the U.S., we don’t know it as well. And if we only have three coaches, that sometimes means there’s 15 curves that we can’t see.
So, the only way to get better is to work together to help each other out, to help each other learn. Because if I help a teammate succeed, in return, they’re going to help me. And it’s all about the team succeeding. Teamwork not only helps win games but also creates strong friendships with teammates that will last long after the final whistle blows. I encourage you to continue being a great teammate and to value the role each of you play in the bigger picture. And with that in mind, I know you’ll find success in everything that you do.
