06.17.09
stop harshing the mellow
fast randoms from my morning run - by rick
Coach Glen Mills has been with Bolt for five years. He knows the guy. Talking recently about his performances in Manchester and Toronto, and prognosticating tonight’s Golden Spike, he brought up a point that I missed or just hadn’t really considered with much weight.
Mills explained that since his Olympic success, Bolt has been flying all over the world to attend events (remember PUMA’s Street Meet?), photo shoots and other such new responsibilities. It all takes a toll on a young athlete’s body.
I remember a job I had once that kept me on the road for two weeks out of the month. Living out of a suitcase, waiting in airports, switching time zones, breathing airplane air - my immune system was whacked. I was much more susceptible to colds, viruses, flues - okay, you get my point. And I was only traveling in the US.
So you look at Bolt’s schedule and then you add the stress of all the “NEW” in Bolt’s world. Grueling photo shoots (being constantly ‘on’ under the lights with people telling you to do this and that), press conferences (being attacked by reporters, cameras, and incessantly repeated questions and probes into your personal life), and just the never ending scrutiny of the world when you become a role model and ‘over-night’ sensation. This doesn’t even consider what is or isn’t happening in your day-to-day personal life, your relationships with family, friends, business associates . . . . okay, nuf said.
I read message boards and a lot (maybe too much) journalistic commentary on Bolt. People can be harsh. They pick apart his every move, every word - every tiny little thing. And these people don’t really take into account the big picture. Overnight - Bolt’s world changed forever. Money (his earnings and performance fees are a matter of public record). Fame. Obligation. Responsibility. And the guy is only 22.
No way I can begin to wrap my brain around it. Can you?
So here’s what I have to say to the naysayers: “check the big picture and stop harshing the mellow.” That goes for Bolt and everyone else who becomes the object of misguided negativity.