The most important game
Sport without a doubt is a form of entertainment, but sometimes the idea of winning is more important than it initially seems, because the reward is far more valuable than three points. It is life. Illnesses do not choose. Everyone, no matter who they are, what they do, or how much money they earn, might be sick. There are many athletes, who suddenly were put in a situation, where they had to fight very hard to win, because the other alternative was not to play ever again.
Tito Vilanova, Spanish professional midfielder and a manager in FC Barcelona, lost the most important game against throat cancer on April 25th in 2014. He was diagnosed in 2012 and since then he was fighting to return on a pitch and to be a coach again. He underwent surgery in December, but it unfortunately did not help. Vilanova was on chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment, but it was not enough. In 2013 he was forced to resign from being a manger in FC Barcelona due to lack of efficient improvement. He died at the age of 45, because of complications from cancer, leaving his wife and two children. Tito Vilanova lost this game but he will never be forgotten. He is still present in the memory of FC Barcelona and soccer fans.
The fight with cancer or any other diseases influence more than just one person. It impacts their families, friends and fans. Agata Mróz- Olszewska, Polish volleyball player, had to fight with leukemia, not only to save herself, but also to save her unborn daughter. Olszewska was diagnosed with leukemia when she was fifteen, but she was able to do what she loved most, play volleyball professionally, until her condition got significantly worse. Unfortunately when she was supposed to undergo the surgery, doctors found out that she was pregnant. Agata Mróz decided to postpone the transplant until she gave birth. Her doctors did not give her any guarantee that her daughter could survive. She put her life at risk to give her baby a chance, which was a success. Her child was born healthy. Olszewska underwent the surgery, but unfortunately she got infected and her body was too weak to fight it and she died on 4th of June, 2008. Her story is amazing. The love for her child, sacrifice, and heroic fight will forever remain in the memory of every Polish person and every volleyball fan.
Life is the most important gift we receive, and all our lives we fight to fulfill our goals and dreams. Athletes are people just like us. They have their families, plans, and dreams. They live their lives the best they can and suddenly they are put in completely different and scary situations. They have to fight one more time to survive. They have to do everything in their power to return on the field one more time and to prove to themselves and people around them that they are capable of winning. That they have strength to do it. A lot of people are able to fight and they get another chance, another half to play. But others have to face the loss, which is the worse of all, because is irrevocable.
