Was involved in some teamwork in the office and started wondering, now, don't know about you but how many have actually seen the film, "Cool Runnings" which came out way back in 1993 about the fictional Jamaican bobsled team which rode to glory in the winter Olympics? Meant to be a comedy about the power believing in one another and the lessons of sacrifice, finding myself giggling throughout the entire show which was a wonder for a hyper 10 year old kid, I found myself really in awe of what it means to win as a team. Growing up idolising great super athletes such as Michael Jordan to the greatness of Tiger Woods, you really do wonder what and how is victory achieved. More than ever, "Cool Runnings" is the epitome of growing up pains and the cherish of friendship over that leads to victory. Funny how a comedy means so much more than the sports pages by the newspapers and mainstream media that what it takes to be a champion is to have supernatural talent and the ability to look good.
The 1989 martial arts film, "Best of the Best", comes to mind when it deals with respect of the opponents. Winning doesnt equal humiliation of those who fall. Defeat does not serve to fuel personal egos. Competition is the platform, the end goal of a challenge, a personal challenge to perform. It does not constitute a stage of adulation or of proving manhood. It is about respect for others and more importantly, yourself. At the aftermath of a bloody loss for the Americans, the crucial take-away point of the movie rests in the fact that they bowed before each other while muttering, "I know you". All those hours of tapes and reviews of each others, right down to family members left them not only with the primary aim of scanning for visible weaknesses but also a deep sense of respect for one another and the sport.
Recently, absurdity of news of Christiano Ronaldo, the star player of Manchester United, recently crowned European champions and on the verge of equalling the record of almighty Liverpool in the UK league and of Gilbert Arenas, the latest NBA superstar who sat out most of the 07/08 NBA season, rewarded as another Franchise cornerstone (at least Agent Zero had the manlihood to reduce the amount from 127m). Spoilt stars in a commercial inducing sporting world. Both stars in their own right leaving a sour taste in the pages of past heroes of sporting history when compared to Michale Jordan and Pele.
Sports shackled under the intense glare of media owners, sporting team owners, world federations and league authorities all with a share of the big pie is indeed still entertaining but it does make you wonder what happens when humans evolve. Catch up with physical capabilities and then what remains of competition? What happens to discipline and of what it takes to win? Blood, sweat and tears to be replaced with cronies and posses each with their own agenda trying to eclipse the very sport that catalyst their growth. The days of 60s and 70s where it was for the glory and perfection of the sport have bade us by but what remains is that intact legacy that will still live on.
Ramblings will continue to be ramblings but it does take you back in your couch and wonder what sports truly could have meant today.
Until more rebellion mumblings, dezza!
The 1989 martial arts film, "Best of the Best", comes to mind when it deals with respect of the opponents. Winning doesnt equal humiliation of those who fall. Defeat does not serve to fuel personal egos. Competition is the platform, the end goal of a challenge, a personal challenge to perform. It does not constitute a stage of adulation or of proving manhood. It is about respect for others and more importantly, yourself. At the aftermath of a bloody loss for the Americans, the crucial take-away point of the movie rests in the fact that they bowed before each other while muttering, "I know you". All those hours of tapes and reviews of each others, right down to family members left them not only with the primary aim of scanning for visible weaknesses but also a deep sense of respect for one another and the sport.
Recently, absurdity of news of Christiano Ronaldo, the star player of Manchester United, recently crowned European champions and on the verge of equalling the record of almighty Liverpool in the UK league and of Gilbert Arenas, the latest NBA superstar who sat out most of the 07/08 NBA season, rewarded as another Franchise cornerstone (at least Agent Zero had the manlihood to reduce the amount from 127m). Spoilt stars in a commercial inducing sporting world. Both stars in their own right leaving a sour taste in the pages of past heroes of sporting history when compared to Michale Jordan and Pele.
Sports shackled under the intense glare of media owners, sporting team owners, world federations and league authorities all with a share of the big pie is indeed still entertaining but it does make you wonder what happens when humans evolve. Catch up with physical capabilities and then what remains of competition? What happens to discipline and of what it takes to win? Blood, sweat and tears to be replaced with cronies and posses each with their own agenda trying to eclipse the very sport that catalyst their growth. The days of 60s and 70s where it was for the glory and perfection of the sport have bade us by but what remains is that intact legacy that will still live on.
Ramblings will continue to be ramblings but it does take you back in your couch and wonder what sports truly could have meant today.
Until more rebellion mumblings, dezza!
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