Sunday, August 6, 2017

World Athletic Champs --- versus --- fickle, unkind, unjust humans

I am on repeated record as saying that we need to understand that most of us have a very poor, fickle and flawed sense of justice. It is why I contend that jury trials are a lotto.
This was proved once again yesterday on the occasion of the 100 meters final of the World Championships in the United Kingdom.
The finalists were each treated to a standing ovation by the crowd, especially Usain Bolt and the English athlete. This was fully deserved.
However, Justin Gatlin was once again booed at crescendo levels of volume.
Perhaps worst still was the fact that all the commentators, treated his incredible win as a none event, hardly acknowledging it and concentrated on heaping even more praise, adulation and worship on Usain Bolt, as if had won the race. Bolt actually came third.
Bolt had already been deservedly praised for his incredible record as an athlete for many hours and in every conceivable way. However, this did not change when he actually lost to Gatlin and Christian Coleman in one of the most exciting finishes in history.
Gatlin’s win was all but ignored.
The reason why Gatlin was subjected to this disdainful, contemptuous treatment by the crowd and the commentators was that Gatlin failed himself and society in the past by involving himself with drugs.
However, and this point cannot be stressed enough. Gatlin paid his dues for his deviant conduct. Society exacted a penalty and he served it out. The same applies to Luvo Manyonga.
So, the question that arises is this --- Do we really not believe that those of us who fail, make mistakes and err should be rehabilitated??
Do we repudiate the wise counsel of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela that it is not that we will stumble, but it is critical that we get up?
Apparently not?
Apparently, Gatlin must forever be condemned and held in contempt … despite the fact that he has got up from his stumble, rehabilitated himself and pulled off an incredible human achievement.
That is why I am on record, as also stressed during the Carte Blanche coverage of “The Oscar Pistorius Trial Of The Century” that most of us have a poor, flawed and fickle sense of justice.
Both Justin Gatlin and our Luvo Manyonga failed in the past. Yesterday they proved Nelson Mandela right.
Please join me in according them a salute for incredible human achievement … Gatlin for winning the 100 meters and Luvo for winning the long jump.
As for Almaz Ayana, who decimated the field in the 10,000 meters, all one can say is that we lesser mortals bow and prostrate ourselves before her in unreserved acknowledgment and adulation. What a star.!! Really!!!
If this were Roman/Greek times we would elevate her to the status of Goddess of the track.
PS: I am soooo bemused by the fact that nearly all the British athletes are migrants, starting off with Mohammed "Mo" Farah. that they shed tears of joy over .... and yet brexit is founded on the proposition that the Brits don't need migrants ... lol ...

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Also recommended is ----- https://coginito.blogspot.co.za/2011/05/osama-bin-laden-some-are-good-even-bad.html

and my book at ...... http://proudlyzimbabwean.orgfree.com/book_page.html


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