I cannot count the number times that I have watched Mika overtake Schumi in Spa (2000 F1 Season), I still have the video. And continue to enjoy the bliss and bravery that Hakkinen exhibited, it’s even more special because he was up against the best the world has ever seen on that occasion. When Federer wept after his defeat against Nadal in the Australian Open last year, I was in remorse. The superman, who was a step away from breaking Pete’s record, had to wait until the US Open to get what he wished to conquer that day.
When Hansie Cronje intervened and clarified that Sachin was blocked by Klusner from getting into his crease and should not be declared out, my mind wrote a note that it takes a man to do the right thing even if it meant that he’d lose the battle fighting fair. When Sachin never spoke against the board despite all the criticism as a captain, I realized that it takes character to remain calm in rough weather and not lose focus. I understood this even more when I saw him let the bat do the talking when the Aussi’s were busy sledging. Shane Warne later on said, “It’s better to be friends rather than help him perform better (with our sledging)”
As I saw Mathew Hayden scoop a six, flick and whip the Royal Challengers, especially Dale Steyn all around Bangalore I was dumbfounded. Later on he said that he had to practice for months with the different conditions(specific to the IPL) in mind, was bowled at different angles and speed, I was once again forced to understand that if I had to succeed I had to work on what I wanted way ahead and success was just a derivative.
When Jordan dunked, Pete volleyed, Sachin hooked, Carlos (Roberto) scored, Marat Safin won (2005 Australian Open Against Hewitt, one of my all time favorites), Tiger birdied, Mika smiled (after his car broke down on the final lap and waved to the fans) – the kid in me was learning…. Not how to do what they did but how their controlled emotions led them to the place they were, how to hold on when letting go seemed like the only option and how passion preceded performance!
The gossip column’s make money selling another man’s personal issues or in most cases so called fabricated issues which I think is a cheap thing to be doing to make my living. I wish we published the lives of these columnists, though it would not arouse curiosity there would be some as bad as any of the celebrities & sport stars. May be even worse – who knows!
I can understand why Tiger’s sponsors dropped him, they can’t say,” Go on Be a Tiger” to promote their services or products anymore. But the media running into his kid’s school is simply not acceptable. We all look up to these sports personalities, we hold them with high regard and it’s a disappointment to all of us.
When Maradonna or Benjohnson was banned for the same reason I did not see the media twisting the story into a sensational juicy article like we get to see in today’s papers. I guess our journalists have stopped reporting, they can find alternate jobs at pixar or dreamworks to work on a script and with their stretch of imagination, I’m sure they’d make it to the Oscars.
The other things about these so called journalists is that they are choosy (we all know why) - When Arnold confessed about not just pumping iron in the gym, it did not interest the gossip journalists. When our politicians are caught in the middle of the action in 5 Star hotels, the women are arrested and the men walk free. While the G journalists are busy outside a celebrity’s house finding out who was having a cup of coffee from whose cup.
Ignore the Agassi confession, it does not matter now. He did not bother to do this when he was playing, and don’t tell me he’s a hero because he confessed. You had a responsibility being an idol to so many youngsters, you failed. Go ahead live your life, but don’t try to justify.
I want to thank the performers for the entertainment & the learning that they provided. We’ll give them the chance that we’d expect for ourselves if we failed and we’ll not intrude into another man’s personal life. It’s sad to know that the fate of a hero is written off by a pen that holds so much power and responsibility.
Wake up; we are all men and women, equal mortals. We liked them for the sport, not for their personal lives and we’ll let them correct their shortcomings. I wish if only we remember not to add insult to injury, we’ll make a better place! Michael was the Elephant Man because of the Media, Martin Bashir – I do not know if you were right about your comments when you interviewed MJ. But if you were not sure and if Michael’s second edition to your interview was true, you are such a loser (I’m sure you know if you are one)!
Looking for an excuse is twice as bad as the mistake!
Renald
