The Blame Game

[malo]

Not sure we have anything to do with the traits of people who become elite. Fact is that it is usually those very traits that allowed them to climb to elite status.
You have to be selfish.

The issue of role models is another story.

You're absolutely right mate, plus we as a viewing public ( and more importantly the media) tend to gloss over the behaviours of some sportsmen/women if they are highly successful.......of course there are great sports people around that are also really great role models as well, they are driven to succeed obviously, but somehow have remained down to earth as well....these people are rare & are like gold for me as a parent of young kids !

I hanker a little for a lost era of quiet champions the likes of Rod Laver, Ray Lindwall, Richie Benaud, Betty Cuthbert, Alex Jesaulenko, etc etc, but in all reality even in this era, there would be sportsmen (and women) who's reputation might have been strained a little with the current saturation media coverage that sports people today have to deal with.