Athletic heroism

Amazing feats of athletic ability have never failed to captivate our attention causing a sense of wonderment. We've marveled at Michael Jordan's dominance on the basketball court, were dumbfounded by Bo Jackson's ability to excel at two sports, were taken-aback when Tiger Woods revolutionized the game of golf and cheered when the Manning brothers won back-2-back Super Bowls, making it a family affair. In short we love winners, and we idolize champions. Yet something that underlies the idol worship of super-human athletes, at least for some, is a mandatory approval of personal behavior both on and off the field. Our most revered athletes are often our most beloved because in addition to their unmatched talent, they also display good sportsmanship both on and off the playing field. 

Michael Phelps is now among that crowd and while his 8th gold medal sealed the deal for him, in the hearts of many fans, he was worthy of the above mentioned crowd with or without the record-breaking gold medal. The media cast an international spotlight on Phelps in both the 04 and 08 olympics when they set the bar at 8 gold medals and the dethroning of Mark Spitz. And Phelps met the challenge head-on in 04 and while failing to meet the mark, was impressive across the board in both his races and his sportsmanship. In 08, he rose to the occasion, taking our breaths away with some crushing wins as well as the closest calls ever witnessed, proving himself a superb athlete and a respectable hero. He isn't cocky, he doesn't run his mouth and he respects not only his teammates but also his competitors. He also represents a sport that is still under the radar but from what I've seen is a very tough yet supportive sport. Each race tests your personal endurance, speed, and metal toughness. While you are racing your competitors in the lanes next to you, you're also racing yourself. What never ceases to amaze me is the way after each race the winners and losers congratulate each other. While being overjoyed by their own wins or crushed by their loses they never fail to reach over a lane or two and share words of support that demonstrates the level of respect they hold for the sport as well as for one another. In my mind that makes the sport and those who excel at it all the more rewarding and worthy of our respect. Watching Michael Phelps win 8 gold medals and show his exuberance for each win without prancing around or trash-talking, never forgetting to congratulate his teammates, continuously giving credit to his coach and his mother, makes him an ideal super-hero. 

After watching Phelps and his teammates capture gold last night, the gold that permanently put Phelps name in the history books, the Olympic broadcast re-aired the men's 100 meter sprint finals. While the shear speed was mind-blowing what was even more mind-blowing was the display of ego on display even during warm-ups. While I admire the speed with which these men run, their love of themselves and obvious high levels of confidence fail to register in the athletic hero category. Not an ounce of humility on the track. The winning runner who set a new world-record and crushed the competition, was celebrating even before he crossed the finish line. After such a sportsman-like finish in the water cube, this display of ego-maniacism on the track was disheartening and proved that sheer athleticism does not a hero make.