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Golden heroes

I agree with the views in this article 'When Being Content Is Not Good'. I don't know of any other country whose athletes take the semi-final as the final and the final as dunno what.

I'm glad Nadal is mentioned in the article because taking the semi-final as the final (and the final as dunno what) is quite, quite different from playing each point like it is match point.

As we arm-chair critics-cum-sports-fans know, you need a gold medal mentality to get a gold medal.

Let me quote the man who was once my hero, Seb Coe, now Lord Sebastian Coe, chairman of London's organising committee, speaking about the Beijing opening:
"Actually our guys weren't cowed at all... They looked at that and thought that's really good, but we can do something as good, set in a different context. They were more pumped up because it was so good. I think they were quite excited by the challenge."

Never admit defeat before you even play your first stroke, run your first step, set off your first fireworks, etc. That's how to win the gold medal.

Not just once. (Picture from here)

But twice. (Picture from here)

And he remains the only man to win the 1500m twice.

For old times' sake, you can watch Coe's 1984 race here.

And it is also about believing in what can happen, about which Phelps' story will no doubt inspire many ...

So, being content is just not good enough...
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Comments

Miss Loi said…
I have to agree. No amount of official accolades can mask the dunno whats for those who've witnessed it :)
1:30 am
Anonymous said…
Hi Miss Loi,
Yes, how disappointing. I guess we just have to hope for more 'think big' and 'dream big' types.
9:58 pm
Lam Chun See said…
I recall that Britain had 2 great middle distance runners at that time. You can remember the other guy besides Sebastian Coe? Britain also famous for Daley Thompson in the decathlon.
8:52 pm
Anonymous said…
There was Steve Ovett and Steve Cram. But I can't remember who ran with/against him when. I think Ovett beat him in the 800m?
10:25 pm
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