From where did the spirit come that saw off the doubters, detractors and great underraters? When entering the arena it warmed to the flame and awoke the sleepers. It has left us all with a job to be done. From where did the spirit come? Did anyone see it or feel it before the games? Did anyone know it was there? Which of these athletes could have climbed to the highest without it? From where did the spirit come to open the eyes of the blind normal-sighted and pathways to success? And where will it be tomorrow? Let's not speak woolly words: it will be where the work is hard and the labourers work together. .................................................. Two new (to me) words to come from the Olympics and Paralympics:- She medalled. and He's going to podium.
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Monday, 10 September 2012
Paraglory
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12 comments:
Sadly I have come across both of those terms before. I accept and I understand that English is an ever evolving language, but words like those strike me as a retrograde step. One that regularly gets my hackles up is growing 'as in he is growing his business'? Huh?
smiles....i have worked the paraolympics as a coach and supporter...and i am glad they have that spirit...i think it a beautiful thing....medal on.....
Yes - that kind of spirit is wonderful - the pride in what one does and intensity -somehow people find it easier to apply in sporting events! (Then, you know, certain regular events although there's a humdrum in the daily slog no matter what I think.)
Still, it's thrilling.
The noun-verb business etc - well -I don't understand it either--a short-cut = but it is terrible here especially. k.
I hope the spirit will remain alive and bright now that our eyes have been opened.
I hate the terms 'medalled' and podiumed' . . .
He's going to podium
I can match that! It's rewarding those who worked their hearts' out for sporting glory. Well thought out verse Dave!
Hank
That spirit is amazing, and think what these athletes endure that most of us who are "able" whine about. They are the true Olympians.
The ones that try and keep on trying against all odds win my heart every time. Theirs is the true spirit of sportsmanship.
I'm not too sure I like those expressions either.
I like this Dave - mainly because it echoes my sentiments exactly. As to those two 'verbs' sadly that is the way the world is going.
What a fine tribute! ANd those two lines at the end are both killers.
By the way, "to medal" and "to podium" are four or five years old now, if not older. I definitely heard them in Beijing. And they might have been first said in Athens 2004. :-)
Greetings from London.
An impressive write, Dave.
This is the true Olympic spirit!
The Elephant's Child
Total agreement here. I just hadn't heard these two during the games. Someone on the radio announced them as additions to the English Language!
Brian
Well done you, for that. I agree 'tis a beautiful thing.
manicddaily
Absolutely, though in speaking of tomorrow I mostly had in mind attitudes towards the disabled and a better appreciation of their abilities.
We seem agreed about the assault on our vocabulary.
jabblog
I'm determined to be optimistic about this. I think it will last.
Hope the new terms don't!
ds
I am in complete agreement with you. They do indeed put us (me) to shame.
Hank
Yes indeed, that's wht it's all about. Thanks Hank.
Daydreamertoo
Yup, let's hear it for the perseverers - not the expressions!
The Weaver of Grass
Thanks for your thoughts on these. Seems there are two ways the world is going, exemplified by the spirit of the paralympians and the misuse of language.
A Cuban in London
Thanks for this. I had no idea the expressions had such a history! Guess they're what you'd call established now, then.
Mary
Thanks for this. Good to know you agree.
very cool... it's amazing where the spirit comes from when challenged
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