# @nikolepbarnes on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CdEjDz7LKic
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/161689-nikolepbarnes-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/faafb1b077.jpg
- **Posted:** 2022-05-02T21:39:13.000+00:00

## Caption

How did I get here?!? 

We are in Day 2 of @teamusa Olympic Week and I have to pinch myself at times because I can’t believe I’m here and that I’ve ‘made it’ 😅

The end of my first world championship as a kid, was were I decided that I was going to go to the Olympics. 

It was 2007 in Montevideo, Uruguay and I remember, in the loud room full of kids, looking up at the stage at the sailors on the podium. The song ‘We Are The Champions’ came on and my face grew hot, tears streamed down my face…I was angry that I wasn’t up on that stage (granted it was my first world champ). On that day I promised myself that, it was last time that I was going to be in the audience looking up at the winners and that one day I would make it to the ultimate podium at the Olympic Games 🥇

Of course competing isn’t a straight line and there is winning and losing… the losing teaches you lessons and the winning does too.

I think back to that moment a lot because I still have yet to reach my goal of being up on that podium yet I am so proud of all that I’ve achieved, I’m proud of the lessons and the journey. I still keep that fire from ‘little Nikki’ 🥺staring up at that podium but I’ve learned to embrace the lessons while pushing towards my goals! 

This week has been incredible and has been a time to reflect on the journey and the future ahead while enjoying the moments with a great team! 

Go Team USA! 

📸: @teamusa 

#teamusa #sailor #sailing #athlete #womenathletes

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 247
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 4

## Credits

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Team USA | @TeamUSA | https://gondola.cc/TeamUSA | Sports Team |
| Fresh Tape Media | @freshtapemedia | https://gondola.cc/freshtapemedia | Production Company |
| Ashley Gutierrez | @guhtiee | https://gondola.cc/guhtiee | Producer |
| Gabby Akinsanya (Carrier) | @gabbyakinsanya | https://gondola.cc/gabbyakinsanya | Director |
| Alana Moritz | @moritzcracker | https://gondola.cc/moritzcracker | Graphic Designer |
| Free Palestine | @EvanWil85171363 | https://gondola.cc/EvanWil85171363 | Videographer |
| Jisung Kim | @jisung_kim_ | https://gondola.cc/jisung_kim_ | Photographer |
| Lakeyia Brown | @keyjbrown | https://gondola.cc/keyjbrown | Social Media Manager |

## Tags

neon, olympics, set fabrication, olympian, usa, media day, team usa week, neon sign, sailing, teamusa, womenathletes, sailor, athlete, posterized

## Events

2022 team usa week

---
Copyright (c) Gondola