In a word.
Yes.
They are an inspiration to kids to get off their backsides and strive to be the top of their sports. All olympians, from every country, are sporting heros.
The example you gave are war heros and different. Same as police heros, fire heros, medical heros, workplace heros, family heros, public heros, etc.
Dave_Notts
I don't think they are heroes, but I do believe they deserve all the hype, pomp and ceromony, as they have to work very hard to get to that standard. We are a very small country compared to others competing and don't have the resouces or finances that many have to allow our athletes to train.
It is their commitment, guts and sheer determination that got them the medals and if that is not a good role model for our young and worth celebrating, then I don't know what is. Let the celebrations go on for as long as they want, that's what I say.
Heroes? No.
Hard working, yes.
As someone who once represented my country many years ago I can appreciate the work, determination and the giving up of a normal life, but I'm ambivalent about the pomp and circumstance. I partly support it in that it's a public thank you for the kids' effort, but on the other hand I revile it. It's hypocritical and two-faced. We make such a song and dance about our returning athletes yet they get fuck all support on the way to getting the skills, endurance and talent. This country is piss poor at supporting athletes yet all of a sudden when they return with lots of medals they are returning heroes.
So why aren't they heroes before they go?
Oh what a lot of miserable b****ds.
Okay these people aren't heroes, they haven't saved a life or improved humanity. But they have put a smile on peoples faces.
Who cares about the credit crunch when we (great britain) are aussie bashing on the sporting field?
Not heros, they get paid to do what they love.
I know they don't get paid alot, but they are still doing what they love.
Lifeboat men and women, now they are heros.
This country is piss poor at supporting athletes yet all of a sudden when they return with lots of medals they are returning heroes.
Call me cynical, but isn't it strange that when this government is in the mire and Gordon's at the height of popularity, we are suddenly very interested in our athletes and talking about a UK football team (when we split the country!).
Tyracer, I was going to quote you, but it takes up too much space.
I wonder if you (thats the Royal You, not a personal dig!) would say the same thing about football players? They have more money thrown at them than you could possibly believe - to a vulgar level.
What I also think has been forgotten in the comparison between these inspirational sporting heroes and the heroes from other walks of life (including those that gave their lives to help others) is that all this flag waving and back patting for the Olympic competitors (not just the medal winners!) will only last a few months. They'll get one congratulatory parade and then it's back to work. It'll be a celebration. Now compare that to Rememberance Day where we remember and give thanks to those that gaves their lives for our freedom. A very different day don't you think? And don't forget, this is a day we (hopefully) mark every year for ever more.
Just my opinion. Stop bashing people for doing well.
*Him*
My twopennarth -
Whether they are heroes or not depends on your interpretation of the word, not on what they have achieved, so we could go on forever debating that.
But I think the pomp, ceremony, adulation, fame, all that stuff, serves a need - it's a national morale boost, it unites people with a feel-good factor, and, imo, is as much a reflection on what makes the public happy, as it is a celebration of the sporting achievements.
I have also read thru this....... and my 2 cents worth is coming....
If the deeds of someone like a Rebecca Adlington, or a Chris Hoy can inspire the kids to do something and be a better person for me then I think that the "hero" tag is justifed......they are both humble enough to not see themselves as such
I would use the same defination for a soldier, or a teacher or a policeman......if that person inspires someone into wanting to make a difference and wanting to better themselves that
I think in a way we have lost our innocence....
When I was 8 years old..... I remember watching ian botham basically win the ashes..... how many kids did he inspire to play cricket..... or a seb coe and steve ovett in the athletics....
how many young girls were inspired by a nadia comaneci.......
I think the greed in the big money sports has clouded this conversation.........
most people do it for the love of there sport.... when i was younger I was a good all round athlete, played both sets of rugby and basketball to a county level, played american football at GB level......
would I have made money from it... no, never that good, do you think these athletes think of the money... hell no!!!!
full disclosure time..... I know 2 people in team GB who won medals.... one is a family friend, one is a person I met... and to know what sacrifice both of these people have been thru has been immense... they both have been into schools to help inspire the next generation of people......
the reperesent there country as well as any soldier, or policeman, or nurse.... and I would call those people heroes to me.... so to make a distinction is highly unfair.......