John Utah wrote:
GD wrote:Seems to be a fad these days to carry someone across the finish line. White Knight syndrome being enabled by the media!
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Yep. This keeps popping up in my Facebook feed. It's great that a wounded vet is running the marathon. Most of us can't imagine what he's been through. But does he have to prove his manhood by carrying this woman over the line? It's just absurd.
I'm also sick of this "inspirational" crap being attached to distance running. It cheapens our sport. Run the damn race!
the quality of many of people who post here is below scum level. It's shameful and I'm ashamed that you are American.
And you are a freaking moron if you are reducing this act to some kind of superficial macho thing. Read a little more about the bigger picture and the struggles soldiers have when coming back from war, especially it they have been permanently injured.
Talking about "cheapening the sport" in this context of life and death and sacrifice you could never understand.
Coward[/quote]
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You're ashamed that I'm an American? Why? I have spent my career working in social services and educating people who work with adults with many types of disabilities, etc.
I am also a competitive distance runner who values excellence in the sport. There is a place for inspirational stories, overcoming adversity, etc. But all I ever see in the media is this stuff with people carrying fellow competitors over the line. It does cheapen the sport. To me, finishing the race is inspirational. Helping a fellow competitor is good sportsmanship, but it shouldn't be the most visible story. This wasn't even an effort to help a fellow competitor. It was a split second decision that turned into a viral video clip. But, why have I seen this footage go viral and not Meb's finish in 2014?
The part about "white knight" syndrome is about right. I know it's an inside joke between these two, which is fine. As a woman, I'd be angry and embarrassed to be carried over the line, even if it was as a joke.
My desire to celebrate excellence in the sport has nothing to do with my viewpoint on military service or disability.