PARIS – Today’s the day. Today, Aug 8, is Max Maeder versus the world day.

Today is medal day. He may win one or he may not. Sport, like the wind in Marseille, is a creature of uncommon whimsy.

Today is the (scheduled) final day of kitefoiling at the Paris Olympics and it’s a thrill. It is a day, first, to give thanks to Max Maeder for letting us be part of a rare moment. His talent is allowing us to feel something. To not just be a distant spectator in this vast, hectic Games but be involved at a high level.

Today’s a day of tension and isn’t that what we wish? Can he? Will he? However it ends, in a leap from a chair for us or a slump into a sofa, he’s taken us to that place of chewed nails. In a way it doesn’t matter where he finishes because it’s just extraordinary to be here. He earned this chance. For himself and you and me.

But, of course, to Max, the world champion and arch competitor, it matters where he finishes. His father, Valentin, tells a story about his son, only four years old, coming home brooding after he didn’t win one of his ski races. “Next morning,” says Valentin, “he was the first one out.”

And so today Max is here for the representing, the participating, the joy, the experience, the adventure but he is also here to win.

Today’s the end of a wait, the culmination of more persistence from a teenager that we can imagine. He has taken his promise and dipped it in labour, risk, analytics and devotion. It’s the day which decides who he is but only as an athlete. Not anything more.

Today is the day to admire him, even before he competes. What ambition it took for him to be part of this grand reckoning. To arrive at the cusp of this rarefied place where, as legendary swimmer Michael Phelps put it, “only one per cent of the one per cent” go. This place which outsiders – you, me – talk about, judge, presume about, inexpertly give opinion on, but will never go to.

Today’s the day of vomit. Of prayer in multiple languages. Of running to the toilet (just ask shooters). Imagine, Max is only 17 at his first Games. Imagine the nerves. Imagine how he finds calm while being so utterly close to the podium.

Today is a day of preparation and also chance. His fa...