Paula Radcliffe- Overkill?
#31
Think you missed the point OllyK. She lost the marathon, cried the tears- fair enuff. On monday she did an interview and broke down again. FFS whats all that about?? Did I see Chris Evett sob for days when she lost wimbledon to Martina? End of day she a professional so should act like that AFTER the event. Chin up and get on with winning the 10,000 metres rather than sobbing about why she didn't win. Hands down to the woman that did win as she seems to have been forgotten completely!!!
And what about Kelly holmes? Oh sry we are still in mourning for poor old Radcliffe.
And what about Kelly holmes? Oh sry we are still in mourning for poor old Radcliffe.
#32
Originally Posted by Brendan Hughes
Hey, I don't agree with your position on this thread, but at least you have the grace to acknowledge when you're wrong . More than can be said for me
I remember taking my black belt exam with a 10 yr old kid, he was crying when he passed too. Some things, which people work hard for, are emotional events. How some keyboard heros can come on here and say she didn't work/didn't deserve sympathy is utterly beyond me.
I remember taking my black belt exam with a 10 yr old kid, he was crying when he passed too. Some things, which people work hard for, are emotional events. How some keyboard heros can come on here and say she didn't work/didn't deserve sympathy is utterly beyond me.
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Sport/Question55580.html
.. but as I said, I was wrong. I didn't say she didn't deserve sympathy but I don't like washing your dirty laundry in public, much the same as people who post personal problems on this board and expect others to sort their lives out for them. The odd tear out of pride for winning is fine but to then hold a press conference and start blubbing is out of order in my book.
I also said that unless she has something wrong with her, then her poor performance is down to bad preparation and that is her fault - I didn't mention her lack of work.
#33
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Originally Posted by unclebuck
I don't know what they've been saying, and I don't care.
She was beaten by better athletes on the day and couldn't handle it. If she had finished and not behaved as she did I might have had some sympathy. As it is... well....
She was beaten by better athletes on the day and couldn't handle it. If she had finished and not behaved as she did I might have had some sympathy. As it is... well....
#34
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How many of you are decent level athletes? I would expect some of you to have your own personal experiences of competition before slating a professional athlete.
All the media attention is overhyped as usual, but that's not Paula's fault. She went for medal, so i can see her reasons for stopping other than being physically exhausted.
I'd like to see anyone on here run a Marathon in those conditions, on that gruelling a course and at a pace around 5 min/mile before you comment on how much a wimp she is at giving up.
If I'd spent at least the last 4 years of my life aiming for an Olympic gold, then failing and realising I might not get another chance (ever) I may be feeling pretty devasted after more than just 24hrs myself.
Think of any painful part of your own life and see if it didn't bother you any more than a day or two.
Personally, I think she should have stayed clear of TV interviews for a while as re-living the experience in front of the public won't help the recovery in the short-term.
As for the 10K event. She's been beaten before without 39K inher legs so I don't hold out much hope for her doing a Kelly Holmes.
Stefan
All the media attention is overhyped as usual, but that's not Paula's fault. She went for medal, so i can see her reasons for stopping other than being physically exhausted.
I'd like to see anyone on here run a Marathon in those conditions, on that gruelling a course and at a pace around 5 min/mile before you comment on how much a wimp she is at giving up.
If I'd spent at least the last 4 years of my life aiming for an Olympic gold, then failing and realising I might not get another chance (ever) I may be feeling pretty devasted after more than just 24hrs myself.
Think of any painful part of your own life and see if it didn't bother you any more than a day or two.
Personally, I think she should have stayed clear of TV interviews for a while as re-living the experience in front of the public won't help the recovery in the short-term.
As for the 10K event. She's been beaten before without 39K inher legs so I don't hold out much hope for her doing a Kelly Holmes.
Stefan
#35
Unclebuck,
you are indeed a sterile man of little thought. Attitudes like yours epitomise the current british attitude towards athletes in all disciplines, and make me ashamed.
Paul
you are indeed a sterile man of little thought. Attitudes like yours epitomise the current british attitude towards athletes in all disciplines, and make me ashamed.
Paul
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Originally Posted by Prince Popeye
And what about Kelly holmes? Oh sry we are still in mourning for poor old Radcliffe.
#38
'Attitudes like yours epitomise the current british attitude towards athletes in all disciplines, and make me ashamed.'
LOL Pavlo getting abit serious aren't we. UB is merely stating his opinion you plank
LOL Pavlo getting abit serious aren't we. UB is merely stating his opinion you plank
#39
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Originally Posted by Prince Popeye
'Attitudes like yours epitomise the current british attitude towards athletes in all disciplines, and make me ashamed.'
LOL Pavlo getting abit serious aren't we. UB is merely stating his opinion you plank
LOL Pavlo getting abit serious aren't we. UB is merely stating his opinion you plank
#40
I am serious, it's a serious point that goes to the heart of Britain's sporting prowess at these Olympics. We have gone from a nation that held the likes of Coe and Ovett as every-day heros and insprired a further generation of athletes. To a bunch of apathetic moaning armchair athletes that wouldn't know what dedication was if it tattooed itself to the inside of their eyelids.
What I think, is that to dedicate yourself 100% for 4 years, doing more physical activity than most will see in a lifetime, gambling that you will be able to perform for just 2 hours at the end of it is a massive commitment. To see that dissapear because of what you couldn't do, rather than what you tried or did do, is devastating. And that nobody here has even an iota of empathy of what it's like to make it to the startline under such massive pressure, let alone put your body through the ringer.
What makes it even worse, is that had she won, the critics and the haters would most likely have said something like 'well she's the record holder, of course she should win it's no big deal'.
The day that we as a nation can bring ourselves to continue to celebrate the great people that started with our support as underdogs, is the day we will start to move on as a sporting nation.
Paul
What I think, is that to dedicate yourself 100% for 4 years, doing more physical activity than most will see in a lifetime, gambling that you will be able to perform for just 2 hours at the end of it is a massive commitment. To see that dissapear because of what you couldn't do, rather than what you tried or did do, is devastating. And that nobody here has even an iota of empathy of what it's like to make it to the startline under such massive pressure, let alone put your body through the ringer.
What makes it even worse, is that had she won, the critics and the haters would most likely have said something like 'well she's the record holder, of course she should win it's no big deal'.
The day that we as a nation can bring ourselves to continue to celebrate the great people that started with our support as underdogs, is the day we will start to move on as a sporting nation.
Paul
#41
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LOL, the problem with a lot of Brits is they like to knock people when they fail or show the slightest weakness. Perhaps it just makes them feel a little better about themselves. Personally I don't like this attitude and don't have any respect for anyone who follows it.
Of course, with BBS's a lot of people just spout any rubbish to make a name for themselves or start a bit of an argument going. Very sad
Stefan
Of course, with BBS's a lot of people just spout any rubbish to make a name for themselves or start a bit of an argument going. Very sad
Stefan
#42
To everyone that feels for Paula. Do you feel the same when the England football/cricket/rugby team lose, or when Henman fails again after being told he is one of the favourites?
RichardC
RichardC
#43
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Originally Posted by RichardC
To everyone that feels for Paula. Do you feel the same when the England football/cricket/rugby team lose, or when Henman fails again after being told he is one of the favourites?
RichardC
RichardC
#44
Can I ask why?
Do footballers or rugby players not train for World Cups? Does Henman not train for his tournaments?
The whole arguement here is that Paula Radcliffe trained so hard for an event that she may never enter again and she failed. If any of the above were in the same position, would you not feel the same for them?
RichardC
Do footballers or rugby players not train for World Cups? Does Henman not train for his tournaments?
The whole arguement here is that Paula Radcliffe trained so hard for an event that she may never enter again and she failed. If any of the above were in the same position, would you not feel the same for them?
RichardC
#45
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Originally Posted by RichardC
Can I ask why?
Do footballers or rugby players not train for World Cups? Does Henman not train for his tournaments?
The whole arguement here is that Paula Radcliffe trained so hard for an event that she may never enter again and she failed. If any of the above were in the same position, would you not feel the same for them?
RichardC
Do footballers or rugby players not train for World Cups? Does Henman not train for his tournaments?
The whole arguement here is that Paula Radcliffe trained so hard for an event that she may never enter again and she failed. If any of the above were in the same position, would you not feel the same for them?
RichardC
#46
I agree that they are team games, but they still train to be the best at their given sport.
I see that you are a Arsenal fan. If they were 2-0 down with 5 mins to go in a Champions League final and they gave up, because they thought that winning the game was a hopelss task, would you defend them?
To me it looked like Paula was giving her all, and could not match her opponents on the day, so pulled out. Im not saying that Paula Radcliffe is useless (far from it), but I get a little worked up when our press praise her for losing and get on the backs of our other sportspersons when the same happens.
RichardC
I see that you are a Arsenal fan. If they were 2-0 down with 5 mins to go in a Champions League final and they gave up, because they thought that winning the game was a hopelss task, would you defend them?
To me it looked like Paula was giving her all, and could not match her opponents on the day, so pulled out. Im not saying that Paula Radcliffe is useless (far from it), but I get a little worked up when our press praise her for losing and get on the backs of our other sportspersons when the same happens.
RichardC
#47
I just don't think you understand what a selfless attitude really means F D'I. All you can see is that she stopped so therefore she is a failure. That is absolute nonsense as many have said here.
She was forced to stop, she had another couple of tries to continue, but her body just would not co-operate. No way can you blame her over that. Do you honestly think that was due to her lack of persistence. Have you never watched her running when she has won in incredible record times due to her absolute will to win and her normal ability to make herself overcome the pain in achieving all that?
She also knew what was expected of her and she was genuinely apologising to the British because she could not go on. Thats the sort of thing that people do when they think of others as well as themselves!
I think you might profit from a more generous and mature attitude in this respect.
Les
She was forced to stop, she had another couple of tries to continue, but her body just would not co-operate. No way can you blame her over that. Do you honestly think that was due to her lack of persistence. Have you never watched her running when she has won in incredible record times due to her absolute will to win and her normal ability to make herself overcome the pain in achieving all that?
She also knew what was expected of her and she was genuinely apologising to the British because she could not go on. Thats the sort of thing that people do when they think of others as well as themselves!
I think you might profit from a more generous and mature attitude in this respect.
Les
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Originally Posted by RichardC
I see that you are a Arsenal fan. If they were 2-0 down with 5 mins to go in a Champions League final and they gave up, because they thought that winning the game was a hopelss task, would you defend them?
RichardC
RichardC
Originally Posted by RichardC
To me it looked like Paula was giving her all, and could not match her opponents on the day, so pulled out. Im not saying that Paula Radcliffe is useless (far from it), but I get a little worked up when our press praise her for losing and get on the backs of our other sportspersons when the same happens.
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Originally Posted by unclebuck
Some classic politically correct responses on this thread. "You're still a winner, even though you are a loser". Sums up what this country has become in a way.
Contrast this to the response by the Australian public toward one of their rowers who gave up. She has been branded as "wimping out" and "not pulling your weight, mate".
Of course this ties in with the other discussions on this board about why we as a nation are so bad at sport and win so few medals and trophies. It's not about money, but about attitude.
UB
Of course this ties in with the other discussions on this board about why we as a nation are so bad at sport and win so few medals and trophies. It's not about money, but about attitude.
UB
#51
Originally Posted by Leslie
I just don't think you understand what a selfless attitude really means F D'I. All you can see is that she stopped so therefore she is a failure. That is absolute nonsense as many have said here.
She was forced to stop, she had another couple of tries to continue, but her body just would not co-operate. No way can you blame her over that. Do you honestly think that was due to her lack of persistence. Have you never watched her running when she has won in incredible record times due to her absolute will to win and her normal ability to make herself overcome the pain in achieving all that?
I think you might profit from a more generous and mature attitude in this respect.
Les
She was forced to stop, she had another couple of tries to continue, but her body just would not co-operate. No way can you blame her over that. Do you honestly think that was due to her lack of persistence. Have you never watched her running when she has won in incredible record times due to her absolute will to win and her normal ability to make herself overcome the pain in achieving all that?
I think you might profit from a more generous and mature attitude in this respect.
Les
This is what I said....
Originally Posted by Faire D'Income
I also said that unless she has something wrong with her, then her poor performance is down to bad preparation and that is her fault - I didn't mention her lack of work.
Is that clear enough for you?
I don't suffer from the English diseases of hiding your opinions and the jolly hockeysticks mentality that far too many people have in this country towards sport. Sport is serious. You don't turn up just to take part, you turn up to win and that is why I am so proud of the England Rugby team who have utter determination, thorough training and a will to win. For the same reason and because I participate in the sport, I'm extremely proud of our sailors who have the same attitude and you only had to listen to Hiscocks describing his ***** up yesterday to realise how pissed off he was with himself - in other words, a strong will to win.
#53
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Originally Posted by Faire D'Income
I don't suffer from the English diseases of hiding your opinions and the jolly hockeysticks mentality that far too many people have in this country towards sport. Sport is serious. You don't turn up just to take part, you turn up to win and that is why I am so proud of the England Rugby team who have utter determination, thorough training and a will to win. For the same reason and because I participate in the sport, I'm extremely proud of our sailors who have the same attitude and you only had to listen to Hiscocks describing his ***** up yesterday to realise how pissed off he was with himself - in other words, a strong will to win.
You're proud of Hiscock so are you proud of Paula?
#54
Originally Posted by MooseRacer
Then surely for those exact reasons you must admire Paula. She turned up to win, she wasn't there to make up the numbers, ballsed up (for whatever reason - we dont know) and is mighty pissed with herself.
You're proud of Hiscock so are you proud of Paula?
You're proud of Hiscock so are you proud of Paula?
#55
I will end this thread. Yes Paula you trained hard but at the end of the day it wasn't good enough and someone better than you won. The show must go on, end the tears and get prepared for the 10,000m.
#57
F D'I and Popeye,
When you are considering human nature and its strengths and frailties, you cannot in all fairness deal in "black and white" form of arguments. We are discussing a person, not a machine. That is a very biased way to conduct the matter. That was the basis of my post if you read it again.
Les
When you are considering human nature and its strengths and frailties, you cannot in all fairness deal in "black and white" form of arguments. We are discussing a person, not a machine. That is a very biased way to conduct the matter. That was the basis of my post if you read it again.
Les
#59
On the contrary F D'I, I am on record on SN for apologising when I have made a mistake. I stand by what I said, you did in fact accuse her of failure in her preparation. Wonder how you know that in fact, or anything else about the situation apart from what you have assumed.
Les
Les
#60
Originally Posted by Leslie
On the contrary F D'I, I am on record on SN for apologising when I have made a mistake. I stand by what I said, you did in fact accuse her of failure in her preparation. Wonder how you know that in fact, or anything else about the situation apart from what you have assumed.
Les
Les
Can you not make the distinction between my saying that she failed in her preparation and my not saying that she is a failure?
Originally Posted by Leslie
I just don't think you understand what a selfless attitude really means F D'I. All you can see is that she stopped so therefore she is a failure. That is absolute nonsense as many have said here.
(
(
There is a world of difference between saying someone is a failure and saying that they failed to prepare properly.