“I have no doubt that you will run again. That’s what the people of Boston are made of. Your resolve is the greatest rebuke to whoever committed this heinous act.”
President Barack Obama

On Monday, April 15th the United States once again felt the hatred of a terrorist attack in yet again a completely unsuspected venue at the Boston Marathon. What is highly celebrated as one of the most stellar races of competition in the racing world, this past Boston Marathon will forever scar the minds of athletes and fans alike as they watched in horror at the aftermath created from two separate bombs located close to the finish line.

Many examples of heroism shown that day as first responders and bystanders worked together to evacuate the wounded and inevitably save lives. This display of selflessness embodied the sense of community in Boston. Over 170 people suffered injuries, and sadly 3 people died including an eight year old boy.
Certainly law enforcement faces tough challenges in the days ahead sorting through the wreckage to determine all who are responsible and bringing them to justice. The city of Boston displayed triumphant mental toughness to not let such a horrific event change their mentality or spirit of freedom and defiance to terrorism.

President Obama expanded on his praise for Boston when he said the following, “If they sought to intimate us, to terrorize us, to shake us from our values. It should be pretty clear right now that they picked the wrong city to do it. Not here in Boston.”

All athletes in any sport can learn from this display of mental toughness and focus on the road to recovery. Certainly the runners from this previous marathon must face the trauma they experienced, or escaped, but choosing to maintain a mindset on the future diminishes the power of fear from the experiences in the past. Sports psychology maintains that acknowledging all emotions felt, whether positive or negative, is critical to establishing a method of refocus. The mentally strong athlete recognizes the appearance of fear, acknowledges it, and then deliberately redirects the minds thoughts on positive thoughts and beneficial goals.

This past week offered proof of how truly sacred and special the human life is. Americans, athletes and non-athletes, refuse to let those with evil beliefs rob our spirit of freedom, or alter our ability to overcome. Boston will eventually recover, although never forget. Those lives lost will never be forgotten, and the running of next year’s marathon will honor their memory by not allowing terrorism alter an iconic American competition.

Mayor Thomas Menino relayed this, “This is Boston,” he said, “a city with courage, compassion and strength that knows no bounds.” The rest of America watches and celebrates that resolve.

Sports Psychology Basketball offers condolences to all that suffered during this horrific event,

and lifts the entire Boston community up in prayer for recovery.