In between training the past few days I have caught clips of the Marion Jones press conference on the news and internet.
Gosh, what can I say. Anytime an athlete has cheated - and especially on the world scene - so many people suffer. I feel sad for Marion, for USA Track & Field, for the youngsters and athletes who have looked up to her and especially for the athletes who raced Marion and had the limelight stolen from themselves by a cheater.
As a professional athlete, it breaks my heart everytime someone is accused of doing performance enhancing drugs and doubly so, when it proves to be true. However, when you look at the culture of sports in the United States, I don't think anyone should be surprised. Winning is everything and everyone else (at least in the media) is a loser. It seems few remember the athlete in second place, or third or tenth or the team that lost despite amazing athletic efforts. I hope that individuals, athletes, like you and me, coaches, teachers, parents and the sports media can help stem the tide of the 'winning is everything' mentality. Idealistic? Perhaps. With big, big bucks behind lurking behind so many of the sports there is much more riding on competition than meets the eye. Or is there?
Of course winning first place, the game, the match, the duel, the meet is one end goal, but there is so much more to sport. Spread the message that effort, hard work, consistency, goal setting, sportsmanship and doing the best YOU can with what you were born with is the true and honorable. That I believe, is the goal and true spirit of sport.
It has been a goal on paper; to earn my masters degree. Soon, however, earning that degree will become a regular part of my weekly schedule. I received the call from the University of San Francisco yesterday. I have been accepted into the Masters in Sports Management program. Enormous gratitude goes to Professor Jerry Evensky (Syracuse University) and Jeff Gardiner for their reccommendations.
