hulksmash wrote:
Celebrating before the line diminishes and disrespects your competition. The race is not yet done but you're declaring it done. Celebrating after the line acknowledges the win without the former.
This was all I was trying to say - thanks for saying it so clearly and succinctly.
~ wrote:
From my reading of this article, this kid was a top-level washout. Could have done anything and gone anywhere and he pissed it away. Humiliated himself. But he made it all the way back with what I'd imagine was a shit-ton of work, support from family and friends (and coaches), and blue-collar effort in the un-glamorous NAIA system. He does all this then blazes a 3:56(!) in front of the cheering crowd of people that stood by him when he was at his lowest, and King Ryun holding the finishing tape. Give the guy his day for crissake. What he accomplished is improbable, and his accomplishment sounds well earned regardless of the emotion at and before the line. Have some sense to know when to hold your opinions to yourself, and when to have the class to congratulate a guy on a job well done.
This post stung because upon reflection I think the poster is right and I was simply wrong to detract from Eric Avila's accomplishment.
To those who know Eric [and to Eric himself if he happens to be following this thread]: I'm sorry, I screwed up.
To the poster going by "You know who / You know me": If you REALLY want my opinion of various [possibly premature] celebrations in recent track history, how about you start a new thread entitled something along the lines of "Gobble, Gobble MFer - the official LRC guide to victory celebrations". I'll be happy to contribute. But I think THIS thread should focused on Eric's great race.