Coming first is essential, is it not? It is the whole point of sport, we are led to believe.
And then, of course, in order to achieve that, coming first in sport, it will be considered essential to put sport first – before everything else. Nothing must get in the way.
And it is not just in sport where it matters, it would appear; drive on the roads in Zimbabwe and we will quickly realise that for some it is absolutely crucial, life or death almost, to get to the front of the queue, to be first through the lights.
Drivers will go to all lengths to achieve that, driving down the opposite side of the road, past the three lanes going forward or left, in order to be the first to turn left!
The next stage after that is not only to be the first in a race or a journey into town but also to be first in other areas of life. But then comes the difficult question: which of the various different activities in which we want to be first will come first in our priorities?
We might take that to a real-life situation. When you have stunning looks, are an outstanding athlete and an astounding student, which one of these wonderful attributes would you consider most useful, would you rate first? Which one would such a person consider to be the most enticing feature in today’s world? For many, especially in Zimbabwe, it would be sport; that is where, it would seem, all the glory is and where all the effort must go.
While we reflect on that question, maybe we just need to consider a certain Gabby Thomas. In recent weeks this American lady won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics in the 200m (as well as in two relay events), beating the pre-race favourite runner with ease.
Another typical athlete, we may think, making use of and benefitting from her fitness and dedication. Sponsorship deals will have multiplied since then for her; all the world is her oyster. She obviously worked really hard to reach that level, sacrificing many things greatly.
Yet, she does have more. She has a degree in neurobiology from Harvard University. That in itself is no mean feat; in fact, it is extremely difficult within itself and yet she managed to complete that while competing in athletics at the top level.
Plus, we might add that she also has a charming beauty in her looks (for those for whom that matters). But, here is the most telling thing: what if none of those three attributes are in fact the key ingredient? What about being a selfless, humble yet ambitious, gracious person? Gabby Thomas is one such. Yes, she has looks, athleticism, brains but what shines through her even more is not any of those attributes but her demeanour and character.
In interviews, Gabby Thomas has urged people to realise her belief that “Who I am off the track has always come first. Sport is not who you are.” Neither is brain surgery; neither are our looks. As the All Blacks rugby philosophy states, “Rugby is what we do, not who we are” which is why they add that a better person makes a better player..
The person is more important. Gabby’s mother instilled in her the importance of giving back to others, all the more so if we have talent in any particular area (or areas). Who we are must come first and we will come first when we put others first.
We might recall Eric Liddell who at the Paris Olympics one hundred years ago this year secured the gold medal, in an event he had not really trained for, (having also represented his country at rugby), and then went to China as a missionary.
Another young man played international sporting matches two days after his final (of nine three-hour) Final exams at university, this having come after training intensively every day for sixteen weeks prior to the tournament. For him there was no choice, no debate – both were important and helpf
Indeed, the same young man gave up his international career prior to a previous Olympics to go abroad to teach in a foreign land. What comes first?
We do not need to be a rocket scientist or brain surgeon to understand that the test of whether we are on track in life is what we are like off the track, off the sports field.
That is the most important lesson that any coach of children must instil in their players above all else. Coming first is important, yes. But what we come first in is more important than coming first. As one reporter stated about Gabby Thomas: “Stay tuned to see how this track star’s next race unfolds—one not for medals, but for the hearts and health of many.” Let our children be the next Gabby Thomas or Eric Liddell.