Athlete (Olympian)
This archetype represents the ultimate expression of
the strength of the human spirit as represented in the power and
magnificence of the human body. Because the Olympian is
so connected to spiritual as well as physical strength, a code of ethics
and morality is associated with the archetype, which is
an excellent example of the universal power of the "psyche" of an
archetype. A link to the Athlete should not be evaluated
by whether your physical skill is on par with that of professionals or
whether your body is perfect in form and function. A person
dedicated to transcending the limits of a physical handicap qualifies
as much for this archetype as the professional or artistic
athlete, because the development of personal will power and strength of
; spirit is a requirement for the body to manifest its perfection.
The shadow aspect of athletics, however, may manifest
as a misuse of one's strength against any sort of person or opponent in
the world, even outside the field of professional athletics,
such as a professional boxer who starts a bar fight; a false sense of
invulnerability, like Achilles' and Samson's; dirty play;
or colluding with gamblers (See Bully). The shadow may also appear as a
lack of honor that compels you to cheat to win.
Films: Esther Williams in Million Dollar Mermaid; Burt
Lancaster in Jim Thorpe, All American; Tom Courtenay in The Loneliness of
the Long Distance Runner; Daniel Day Lewis in My Left Foot;
Hoop Dreams (documentary)
Fiction: The Natural by Bernard Malamud; Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates by Mary Mapes Dodge.
Folklore/Fairy Tales: The Tortoise and the Hare.
Religion/Myth: Atalanta (female athlete in Greek myth);
Smertios (Celtic war-god portrayed as a bearded athlete); Nike (feminine
personification of victory in Greek myth, who runs and
flies at great speed). Samson (Nazarite strongman and biblical Judge);
Achilles (Greek warrior known for his exceptional might,
and the hero of the Iliad); Smertrios (Celtic-Gallic god of war depicted
as
a bearded athlete).