Darrell,
I think you'll find that the majority of the criticism of Mo and his mates
was from within the US, not from outside. In fact, I was one of those who
publicly said that I was not troubled by their antics.
What I also pointed out was that the reaction to the 4x1 celebrations should
be understood in the context of a series of displays of unfortunate
behaviour by American Olympians in Sydney, from Carter to the Dream Team.
The 4x1 was, so to speak, the straw that broke the camel's back. As it is,
they became (rightly or wrongly) the examplars of a side of the American
psyche which has long caused cultural tensions but which to many appeared
particularly out of place in the atmosphere of goodwill and friendliness
which was such a credit to Sydney. I mean no judgement here, I'm just
seeking to put a perspective on the discussion.
As for L-F, no-one has commented for the obvious reason that very few of us
has seen any TV pictures. When we do see it, I suspect that we will see
spontaneous joy at the moment of triumph, rather than a 20 minute display of
showboating which held up the next event by several minutes. No-one objects
to celebration - the looks of crazy joy on the faces of athletes as they win
(witness MJ and DB in 96) is wonderful. Where celebration (good) ends and
showboating (bad) begins is a simple matter of personal taste.
Justin
> ----------
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Reply To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2000 2:18 am
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: Re: Mark Lewis-Francis (was: Re: t-and-f: Embarassment)
>
> ANd what sour grapes would I have? My athlete ran 44.66, the second
> fastest
> time by a junior ever. I have no sour grapes to mash.
> And I expect all you saw was him kiss the track. Of course, you missed
> the
> looking back, the yelling at the crowd, the "look at me" theatrics that
> many
> on this list love to lambaste. My point is simple, it all depends on the
> person, not the actions.
> As for his confidence, I think taking 2nd or 3rd at your nationals/Olympic
>
> trials would be a definite boost. And if he is worth his weight he will
> take
> very little from defeating a field that finished .2 seconds behind him.
> He
> was far and away beyond anyone in Chile. It was simply an easy victory,
> one
> he could have won falling down at the start. With his talent, and at age
> 17,
> he would have benefitted greatly from competing on the main stage. Making
>
> the semi finals at the OG's is not an easy task, and one I think he could
> have easily done. From watching him I am positive he would have made the
> final. Respectfully, I submit this all as my opinion on the young man's
> career. He has a promising future, and I think he sold himself short in
> this
> case. Plus, he could have done both if that was his desire.
>
> Darrell
> The G.O.A.T.
>
>
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