Russia Inspired a 9-Year-Old Michael Jordan to Achieve His Olympic Dream: “I’m Going to Make Sure We Win”

Michael Jordan has been a national treasure all his life and a gem of the sporting world. He has achieved some of the most remarkable records in his playing career. For everyone who witnessed Michael Jordan first hand there has been a common feeling of disbelief. He is a true legend of the NBA and is arguably the GOAT.

But this dream started for the great man when he was merely 9-years-old. One of the most fascinating things about Michael’s persona has always been his self belief. That is one of the few reasons why his extremely competitive nature has always ultimately attracted respect from anyone he has played with or against. His unwavering belief in what he could achieve was something that even shocked his family and especially his mother, Deloris.

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“I remember Michael walking into the kitchen [at age 9],” Deloris recalled, “and saying that Russia had won [the gold medal in basketball over Doug Collins’ U.S. team in Munich, the ensuing dispute over a last-second ruling one of the most controversial in Olympic history]. He said, ‘I’m going to be in the Olympics one day and I’m going to make sure we win.’ I smiled to myself and said, ‘Honey, that takes a lot to win the gold medal.’ But he never lost that dream.”

Watching Russia (Soviet Union at the time) win against the USA in the 1972 Olympic finals to bag the gold medal certainly fueled the young Jordan to win the gold medal for his country.

Michael Jordan and his Olympic Journey

Although Jordan only had 2 Gold medals, those both were special in every aspect. When Michael won his first Olympic Gold medal, it was a special moment for the whole family. Firstly, because of the circumstances around the manner in which they eventually attended the final game. As things turned out, Michael’s family was almost set to miss the final game. But as fate had it, they managed to fly in at the last minute.

Jordan won his first gold in the 1984 Olympics, which was his rookie season in the NBA. The second gold came in the 1992 Olympics. This was special in its own aspects because it was the Dream Team of the USA. The team consisted of Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, Larry Bird and the list of the NBA legends goes on.

Michael’s belief in himself was extraordinary. Although he had skills to become a professional baseball player, he very quickly showed that he has the immense talent for the game of basketball as well. His family was convinced that he would go towards baseball. 

Also read: “If I Offended Anyone, That’s Too Bad”: How Michael Jordan Gave Reebok a Savage Reply for Their Antics Against Nike During 1992 Olympics

But young Michael only had one dream at the beginning, an Olympic Gold medal. However, that is not where he stopped and everybody knows the legacy he created throughout his career in the NBA.