6 minute lesson
Dreams of the 2020 Olympics
In the midst of poverty and with the odds stacked against them, an Olympic dream has been ignited in Zambia.
The Zambian National Handball team is working tirelessly to hone their skills to make it to the greatest sports event in the world. Can they do it?
Starting from almost nothing in 2012 the team, comprised mostly of men from the slums of Lusaka, is now looking towards making it to the 2020 Olympics. For the players, playing handball is how they see their way out of poverty. They aren’t just playing for sport, they are playing for their futures.
One of our favorite filmmakers, Austin Meyer, filmed a beautiful short documentary highlighting the journey of this remarkable team and its players.
Why It Matters
Perhaps this story resonates with so many people because we have all been the underdog in our own way before. Maybe we know what it takes to have the courage to work hard. Perhaps we’ve experienced being knocked down, and getting back up to try and win.
There’s no greater proof that it’s still an amazing word than when the underdogs win. Their success is a reminder that we are capable of winning against the odds. Their hard work lets us know that our own work won’t be in vain. Underdogs represent where we’ve all been, and now, where we want to see ourselves!
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National Geographic
Inspiring people to care about the planet! National Geographic is the world’s premium destination for science, exploration, and adventure. Through their world-class scientists, photographers, journalists, and filmmakers, Nat Geo gets you closer to the stories that matter and past the edge of what’s possible.