There are endless lessons to be learned from the Olympics.

I am sure that there are thousands of children who have become interested in pursuing a sport after watching how thrilling competition can be.  You as a parent will have to be involved, whether it is for just a season or for the next ten years of running back and forth to practice.  

Here are some thoughts on the subject:

• Finding a passion in life:  Not all tall boys want to play basketball, not all tiny girls want to be gymnasts, but it is true that they have a better chance at those sports if so inclined.  (How many short girls have been broken hearted because they were not statuesque enough to become runway models?)   Choosing an area that is realistic for their body structure is fundamental.
• Exploring options:  Allow them to sign up for various activities at the Y or parks or other recreational centers.  They will find the area best suited for them and what they really enjoy.  Coaches and managers will perk up when they find a gifted child.  They are the ones who will share in the joy of finding that one in a million.  
• Don't overreact:  Whether the child is good, really good or fantastic, take it easy on expectations. Overreacting to the situation and making demands on the child to take up whatever he excels in is asking for failure.  Let the child determine if he cares enough to devote the amount of time it would take to succeed beyond local participation.  Guide him intelligently, remembering that many children, even if gifted, do not have the resolve or interest to devote their childhood to that one thing.  Respect that.
• Keep Perspective:  First and foremost your child is a child. If she is talented, don't overpraise her until she becomes obnoxious and loses all sense of who she really is.  
• Serious training takes a maturity that many children simply do not possess. The desire to learn the sport has to take precedence over everything else.  That's tough for the adults involved too.
• Don't make it all about winning:  Let's face it, for every athlete competing in the Olympics, there were thousands who didn't make it.  For all who actually made it, only a handful made it to the medal ceremony.  Being good doesn't mean being great.   Your child can have a meaningful and wonderful experience without ever making it past the hometown team. So let them enjoy!