Saturday was a special day in my neighborhood and city of Baltimore. Our community celebrated the homecoming of Michael Phelps, Katie Hoff and other Maryland Olympians with a parade and other festivities.
My neighbors and I cheered as the marching bands, Boumi Temple motorcycles and various politicians paraded by. “Phelps Phan” t-shirts, “You’re Greight” signs and balloons lined the parade route.
It felt like a small town parade since it was three blocks from my house. Yet the magnitude of what we were celebrating was not lost. The entire world has witnessed Phelps’ athletic accomplishments. When I was in Shanghai, people approached me on the street to discuss the Olympian.
In addition to earning seven world records ad eight gold medals, at the age of 23, Michael has earned our respect. He demonstrates important leadership qualities.
He is well grounded and displays humility, self discipline, focus, imagination and hard work.
In these tumultuous economic times these are golden qualities that our politicians and business leaders could emulate. These attributes would help us to swim in these rough waters.