Just imagine doing this: spending your life - and in particular, the last four years - practising (for example) long jump. Every day consisting of run-run-run-run-run....and JUMP....and land in a sandpit. And that's it. Again, and again, and again. It makes my brain hurt just thinking about it. The sheer monotony of it. And the effect on normal life:
'Cup of tea, dear?'
' I'll just do one more jump first.'
'Glass of wine?'
'I can't, because of my diet.'
'Oh, of course, silly me. Then I'll just have one myself, shall I?'
And so on, and so on. For four years.
I'm sure they have to do the whole keep fit thing, as well (which presumably makes a change). But still.
Then there are the really weird ones, like putting the shot (what exactly is that for?. And you don't just put it; you have to throw it. A long way.
Running I just about get because running can be useful (think wild bears and missed buses), but most of it just leaves me bewildered.
But never mind. Good luck to them all, bless them. They certainly deserve it.
Husband was just saying more or less that last night was we watched the diving……all that practice/effort for 3 seconds of a dive !
ReplyDeletewas should have been " as" ….I had to publish before it disappeared . This still happens to me on your blog's comments. This one went very quickly and I have re written the first few words. Does any one else have the same problem ? And have you heard from publisher yet?
ReplyDeleteps It is only on here that my comment disappears before I can " publish".
ReplyDeleteI can't solve the blogging problems, Frances. I have enough problems myself!
DeleteI can't imagine myself even approaching such dedication.
ReplyDeleteI feel for the commentators. How on earth do they get excited or find anything to say about the air rifle shooting or the 100m swim or run?
So you're not an Olympic athlete, either, Adrian. I'm in good company.
DeleteYou would be love but only if I saw you in that netball, volleyball whatever on sand. I hate it. Lasses wearing only their knickers playing pit-a-pat. Mens diving doesn't ring my bells. The best I've had this week is watching a normal horsey groom lass shift three bales of haylage,the idle cow did ask for help. I got on the macine.
DeleteAs someone whose son was once short-listed for the Commonwealth Games (cycling) and then developed appendicitis so couldn't go, I can appreciate the dedication these athletes give to the sport they love. But, Frances, they don't understand how we can sit and write for hours on end. It takes all sorts.
ReplyDeleteI too have a son who's a dedicated cyclist, Lynne. He's just done a race involving the steepest part of the Tour de France. Said it was horrible. I rest my case!
DeleteYour title certainly caught my attention! I guess only the dedicated can understand sport in that way. I can't wait till they put something non sport-related on the TV!
ReplyDeleteSport, cooking and hospitals seem to dominate the TV, Rosemary. Sigh.
DeleteYour post made me laugh, Frances and I quite agree with all you've said. There is something about being an Olympian though, that is similar to writing: the 'public' only see the glamorous side - ie: standing on the rostrum, getting applause and a gold medal, is akin, imo, to getting a novel published to great acclaim. They don't see the hours and hours, weeks, months and years of grind and hard work which is all very unglamorous, often lonely and soul-destroying. So yes, well done to all of them, whether they win a medal or not. They are committed champions, every one of them.
ReplyDeleteHelen, I think you're right. And I suppose we are lucky if as many people read what we write as watch all those athletes jumping about!
DeleteI lack the stamina to dedicate so much of my time and energy to one single goal. Even the 10k city run I ran this year (as in previous years) I only do because it is fun (believe it or not), and I don't even really train for that - just go running anyway, because it feels so good to move my body after a long day at the office.
ReplyDeleteI don't follow the Olympics at all and wasn't even aware of what day they began this year, as I was so busy enjoying my Yorkshire Holiday!
You seem to have it about right, Meike. I used to run, but can't say I enjoyed it much. I'm glad the holiday was a success.
DeleteOlympians have to be so dedicated that it's almost an obsession. I think if you want to be really good at something you have to have this drive. I wIll continue to potter along doing my own thing.
ReplyDeleteMe too, Maggie. Otherwise I'd be very rich and incredibly famous.
DeleteI don't mind putting a bit of time and effort into something I'm interested in, so I can improve - but not to the exclusion of ealmost everything else.
ReplyDeleteExactly, Patsy. It's the all the eggs in one basket thing, and then the Olympics come, and you drop the basket.
DeleteMe to my husband after watching the Olympic cycling: I used to be good at sport. I even won a race.
ReplyDeleteHusband (looking surprised): Really? Which one?
Me: Egg and spoon.
Now that woud make for a much more entertaining Olympic sport, Wendy!
DeleteWhen Middle Daughter was told that her youngest was very good at running , she suddenly had ghastly visions of having to drive him to early training sessions for years . "And making animals from plasticine ", added the teacher .
ReplyDeleteSo she relaxed .