Ruben, Renato, and Marcelo (Ruben’s brother) at Salt Lake Opening Ceremonies
My brother Marcelo and I trained for the Salt Lake City Olympics for 5 years side by side with Renato Mizoguchi (the little guy in the middle), and we didn’t know a thing about his family background.
Renato competed in the luge for Brazil. He’s one of those happy-go-lucky guys that doesn’t say much, but somehow brightens a room with his big smile. He speaks very little English so even though we traveled together for years, we didn’t know much about him.
It turns out that Renato had not seen his mom since he was 3 years old. He had been raised by his grandmother in Japan. Renato had always dreamed of meeting his mother but neither he nor his grandmother even knew if his mother was alive.
Well, like I say in my speeches, one dream leads to another and God works in mysterious ways because Renato had just finished his fourth Olympic luge run when a reporter from his home country interviewed him for a TV news program. Incredibly, an entire continent away, his mother was watching and immediately called the news station to contact her son.
After 23 years, they were reunited. If Renato had not pursued his Olympic dream, he may not ever again seen his mother. I remember Renato telling me, “My Olympic medal is better than the Gold Medal. I found my Mom!”
Pursue your dream. You don’t know where your dream will take you, but it will take you to some wonderful places!
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