Imagine an Olympic record which has stood for 100 years and is still unbroken - well, 
Emil Voigt, a native Mancunian, holds that record. Admittedly, the event (the 5 mile race) has never been in the Olympics again, but it is still something of a distinction.
I point to the story just to remind people that despite the accountant mentality of the media, there are more things to being up there with the Olympians than records.
There is deserved accolade for anyone who wins (without cheating) a gold in any event: I would go so far as to say there is a deserved distinction for anyone who competes in any event at the Olympics.
Take a closer look at Mr Voigt - he almost didn't compete - he was on the point of giving up competitive athletics as he was getting too old (@ 25); in training his 'arch' collapsed - so a plaster cast was stuck in the shoe before he ran; he was the only vegetarian at the games (I'd like that one checked out myself).
Such is the stuff of heroes.
Few know of the man now - although he moved to New Zealand and trained many athletes there.
It is one of the many tales that remind us one point of the Olympics is for ordinary people to do extra-ordinary things - have their 15 minutes of glory, then fade into the background again.
Technorati Tags: Olympics, Olympic Hero, London 1908, Emil Voigt
Emil Voigt, a native Mancunian, holds that record. Admittedly, the event (the 5 mile race) has never been in the Olympics again, but it is still something of a distinction.I point to the story just to remind people that despite the accountant mentality of the media, there are more things to being up there with the Olympians than records.
There is deserved accolade for anyone who wins (without cheating) a gold in any event: I would go so far as to say there is a deserved distinction for anyone who competes in any event at the Olympics.
Take a closer look at Mr Voigt - he almost didn't compete - he was on the point of giving up competitive athletics as he was getting too old (@ 25); in training his 'arch' collapsed - so a plaster cast was stuck in the shoe before he ran; he was the only vegetarian at the games (I'd like that one checked out myself).
Such is the stuff of heroes.
Few know of the man now - although he moved to New Zealand and trained many athletes there.
It is one of the many tales that remind us one point of the Olympics is for ordinary people to do extra-ordinary things - have their 15 minutes of glory, then fade into the background again.
Technorati Tags: Olympics, Olympic Hero, London 1908, Emil Voigt
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