RE: Hot Heads Of The Sporting World

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Interesting to see this topic today as I was just asking a co-worker how his son did in his cross country meet on Saturday morning. He said he was watching some of the other boys come in at the front of the pack in his heat (his son was back towards the middle) and saw an incident that would fit right in. I guess two boys were close around the last turn and one got pushed into the grass a bit. It sounded like he felt like the other kid pushed him off the course so he came from behind and shoved the other runner over the fence. My co-worker said there were all kinds of metal stakes in the ground where the kid fell, so the "hot-head" could have easily cause major damage if the other boy had fallen on one! And he said it was right at the finish line in front of all the parents and coaches.

I suppose it's not as surprising when dealing with young kids who haven't had the training and maturity to learn to control their emotions, but I think as you pointed out for some people it's a part of their personality that is a challenge to fully repress. You see it every day outside of sports, as well, it's just more visible on the big world arena of sporting events. Some of the outcomes are quite unfortunate (I didn't see the latest with Djokovic but tend to think he is a stand up guy), especially if someone gets injured because of the outburst. But I will say I have a hard time supporting those McEnroe-type players as I tend to be more of a quiet and calm person myself. I think the only time I got taken out of a sporting event was when I had my first asthma attack. And that was for NOT speaking out to let my coach know I was at my limit, haha. So if anything I'm too quiet sometimes. ;)



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Regarding the accident between two the kids, I am partly blaming the culture, the environment and the parents as well, in general, without knowing them. I believe the pressure these kids put under at a young age is not always healthy. You see parents always telling their kids, they have to be the best as second place is not winning but losing. Obviously I don't know what's happened, but it's impermissible to push and shove the other so you can win and they need to learn that at as soon as possible. As you said, he should have suffered serious injuries.

As about Djokovic, I agree, he's one of the good guys, he didn't deserve this and can't even mention with the others, like McEnroe, Kyrgios and Serena Williams, who is also a disappointment lately. He paid a high price.
Sorry to hear about your unfortunate experience though :)

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Yes, I do think you are right on some of the commentary on culture and upbringing. Though I can't speak for the parents in this case, I know my parents would have be appalled if any of us ever acted that way. Specialization too early is a problem here, too. Some of those kids only run because parents think if they work hard enough on the same sport they'll get scholarships. It puts too much pressure on them both mentally and physically. I can remember parents even back when I was in school over 20 years ago being more upset with the team losing than the kids were. Sports should be fun! Even with the element of competition, if there's no joy in it, what's the point, right?

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I fully agree with you. Unfortunately you're right, the pressure starts at a very young age and does more damage that we can imagine. Sports should be fun and no one should be forced to do sports.

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