Monday 17 August 2009

That was quick!

Ok, so there was only one man who was going to win it...



But while I was stunned by the time, I wasn't so impressed by the performance. He pushed all the way unlike in Beijing last year, but he still wasn't at his max: I can understand his confidence that he thinks he can go under 9.5 seconds. And the sport science specialists suggest Bolts' physical mechanics support this belief.

The thing which struck me was how Tyson Gay was underwhelmed with second place in 9.71 secs. It reminded me of the old phrase about how, for Americans, winning is everything and second is nowhere.

I mean, come on!

Cut away to Dwaine Chambers who was almost banned from participating and you'll see him not only just glad to be there, but feeling the privilege that he is capable of being one of only seven other men who lined up beside the lightening Bolt on this special occasion.

Without those other 7 men trying their damnedest to push him as hard as they could it wouldn't have been the occasion it turned out to be. Anyone can be a champion in their own bedroom, but a true champion proves themself by competing against the best of the rest - without the participation of thousands of so-called losers there would be no victory worth the name.

So the taking part is more important than the winning.

And the same goes for politics too.

Even if you're proved wrong, and even if you lose and are criticised heavily in the process you can be proud that you stood up to be counted. Winning is not an egotistic pursuit - nobody wins when it is at the expense of somebody else.
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