Sport
SHE’S MY CHAMPION “SHE’S A STAR IN MY EYES” - Yene Damtew
When we see the word “champion” in the sports section of a magazine, it would be natural to assume we are referring to someone who has either shown marked superiority in a sporting context, or someone who came first or won a competition. In reality the word “champion” can mean so much more. To me “champions” are people who make a difference, those who have an impact on our lives. But it’s not always because of their own tangible achievements. When we look at the people in our lives who we have admired or who we “champion”, what is it about them that leads to our feelings of adoration and respect? Unpacked, it can be many things: pride in their achievements, respect for their actions and decisions, or trust in their advice. Ultimately, how we relate to someone and their actions, and how this makes us feel about ourselves, determines who is a champion in our eyes. Winning can label someone as a champion, and it’s important to acknowledge and celebrate the work, effort and ultimate accomplishment of finishing first. But being a champion covers a broader spectrum of personal attributes.
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In the Sport Office we spoke about what a champion looks like to us and who, in our lives, we consider as our champions. One shared the following: "My Mum was a caring, selfless lady who always put the needs of others before herself. Even though I was surrounded by many champions during my time as an international athlete, I would without hesitation say... ‘my mum’”! Another named Sarah Ulmer, the former New Zealand, Olympic and World Champion cyclist, as someone she thought of as a champion. Not being able to articulate exactly why, I contacted our friend Google for inspiration and shared with my colleague the following article statement which, for her, explained her choice: “Sarah’s talent and grace were one thing. But in addition to this she reflects back a bit of ourselves. She is quintessentially a New Zealander. She represents what is best about our country, not just in a sporting sense but in forging an identity. Her refusal to make excuses matched with her refusal to give in easily followed by her refusal to revel in victory made her easily identifiable as a Kiwi. She is also personable and ‘real’.
