The other night I had just finished work and went down to the local club to enjoy a couple of beers with the boys when the Legends state of Origin came on the T.V. As we sat there thoroughly enjoying the game we started reminiscing on the great times that the sportsmen that were playing had given us over the years. The fire in the old fellas almost made me wish that they were in their prime again and we were watching a brutal mid 80's State of Origin bash fest.
Then it dawned on me how it must have felt for them. As hard as it must have been for our former champions, they never lost their composure and you could feel their passion. Benny Elias's dig at Andrew Symonds had every punter cheering and the enthusiasm of Mario Fenech tackling and hitting up the ball sent shivers down the spine. I'm sure for a moment that it almost brought a tear to their eyes.
I bring this up due to the upcoming announcement that Ian Thorpe may be re-entering the pool and what that will mean for Australian Swimming. Sometimes it takes a true champion to show everyone that what they have achieved in the past was not because they had an extra gene that made them perform better than everyone else, but purely because they were hard workers and had the determination to succeed. If Thorpe does jump back in the pool it will give Australia a much needed boost coming into the London 2012 Olympics. For younger athletes it will mean the opportunity to work beside "The Bradman" of the pool.
Some of Australia's best have made the path back from sporting retirement. Lisa Curry Kenny, Geoff Huegill and even Shaun Tait have made their way back into the field of competitive sport. Their successive comebacks were almost Rocky like in their determination.
But when should an athlete hang up his or her boots? Does it come down to proving that they can do it for themselves, more than doing it for their fans? and Are they holding up the line for a new generation of athletes?
Even today I still get that feeling deep down in my stomach yearning to be out on the cricket field again. I guess that feeling is nothing compared to that of a former professional athlete. I believe the reason that we get so much enjoyment out of watching our favourite sports stars is that they have a special quality that we all want to see in ourselves. That feeling helps us get through our daily jobs and gives a reason to unite, relax and enjoy our leisure time. These sports stars are our prodigal sons and daughters and when we see them compete we live through all their successes and failures.
I say good luck to Thorpie, I hope that his comeback is successful as I'm sure it will be. I would also like to thank the Rugby League legends for giving us some great memories and for god sake Warnie get back out there and win us back those bloody ashes!
Tell us what you think.Should Thorpie stay in retirement or are our former champions giving the public what they want?
Thorpe is making his way back into the pool after 5 years. He's only missed one Olympic Games, however that's still 5 years of what I would assume to be less-than-usual training for him. To make his comeback now, in preparation for the 2012 games, is remarkable. It gives him one year and a bit to get back into his regime for swimming.
ReplyDeleteAs stated in articles, he is not aiming to beat Phelps at everything; merely to be a part of the relay team.
The question about Thorpie staying in retirement is a hard one; is he actually coming out of retirement for personal reasons, or because he's been pressured by the public?
If indeed he is coming back for his own reasons, good on him. This will mean he will have finally ironed out the creases in his focus, and defeated the demons.
My question now is... What if Thorpe, in the 18 months leading up to the Olympics, is not as fast as we'd all hope for him to be. Will we see the Australian selectors put Thorpe in the team over someone else purely because of his "Montage moment"?
he'll be there faster than ever Jimmy. Have no fear!
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