America
Athletes attribute success to Indian-descent guru
Toronto, July 27
Most of the athletes who
participated in the Pan Am Games in Toronto that concluded on July 26
have thanked a spiritual leader of Indian-descent for counselling which
helped them bring laurels to their respective countries, media reported
on Monday.
Zenji Nio spent a few weeks at the athletes' village, providing counselling and guidance to the sportspersons.
Most of the athletes now insist that without Nio's help, they would not have won a medal, National Post newspaper reported.
Mexican
gymnast Dafne Navarro said she was grappling with insecurities about
her jump on the trampoline until she worked with Nio. Navarro later won a
silver medal.
The Argentinian women's handball team had never
qualified for the Olympic games until they worked with Nio in Toronto.
They, too, won a silver medal, along with that long-sought-after Olympic
berth.
"Working with Zen has been a revelation. I have learned
that medals with no soul, have no value. Appreciation and gratitude are
the way to grow in life," Mexican windsurfer Demita Vega was quoted as
saying.
As per Olympic guidelines, the Pan Am organising
committee was required to provide a multi-faith centre in the athletes'
village.
It was also given the task to find sports chaplains who
can volunteer to work with every member of the delegation seeking
religious or spiritual counselling.
"The host committee had
created a team of people who did extensive research into who were the
major faith leaders and the people who were best qualified," Nio was
quoted as saying.
"We were all called in and the organisers invited me to represent Buddhism based on my qualifications."
Nio
is of Indian descent and has travelled the world studying Buddhist
techniques. His practice combines Eastern philosophy with Western
motivation. In addition to being a spiritual leader, over the years Nio
has also given motivational speeches.