J.R. Briggs
Attempting to behold the miracle long enough without falling asleep
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Paralyzing fear and the Olympics
Yesterday I read Mike Lopresti’s column in USAToday about Edwin van Calker, a Dutch Olympian, who couldn’t compete a few days ago in the bobsled event in Vancouver. Why? Because he was too afraid. With the speed of the track, the death of a Georgian luger earlier in the Olympic Games and pressure from his family back home, he backed out. So, he pulled out, disqualifying his team from competition. His brother – and teammate – backed up his decision. His coach did not.I can’t remember the last time a sports column made me pause to reflect as much as this one did.
- What are your thoughts?
- Is Edwin van Calker wise or a coward?
- How do you think he will be received when he returns home to the Netherlands?
Kathleen said...
1Wow what a story. My thoughts are highly influenced by an American movie called Cool Runnings, one of the last movies that John Candy made, before his tragic heart attack at 43.
My 1st question: What is a coach’s role in an Olympic athlete’s life?
In the movie, Candy’s character devotes a great deal of time in grooming the bobsled’s team’s driver. While the movie glosses over many details of Olympic training, and makes light of some weighty issues, I cannot help but question this athlete’s coach and wonder if the coach really prepared the athlete enough to face fear.
Second: Are the Dutch really as shame-driven as one author describes?
Lewis Smedes wrote a great book, Shame and Grace, and he includes some illustrations based on Dutch culture. Smedes talks about growing up in Amsterdam. He does not shame his countrymen in his vivid descriptions, he retains a healthy amount of respect for their humanity. J.R. I wish you could conduct an on-the-spot interview with Smedes about this situation.
Based on my limited American experience of watching movies and reading books about other countries, and a little bit of travel, I think that Edwin van Calker is very wise. A driver has a great deal of responsibility and needs to make decisions in microseconds. Only Mr. Calker could know if he could shelve his fears long enough to complete this kind of a task. Sure, we say “fake it til’ you make it” when someone faces a daunting task like asking a girl out for a date, or prepping for a job interview. Don’t think that applies here. I wish Mr. Calker could seek temporary asylum somewhere else so he would not have to face the undeserved shame of his countrymen. Thank you for an inspiring story.
02/27/10 3:31 PM | Comment Link
Yvonne Koenders-Mertle said...
2In the interest of honnestty, I like to state that I am Dutch, now living in the USA for thirty years. So I think I can see things from both the American as well as the Dutch perspective. I can honnestly say that the Dutch are fearless, but not stupid. I have always thought that this particular sport it extremly dangerous.
I think one can get carried away by excitement and thoughts of glory and winning a medal. However, when faced with the reality of possible death it is only wise to give it more careful examining of the facts and choose to NOT take the risk. I can understand they dissapointment of his trainer who was hoping to be part of the glory, now has to take part of the dissapointment of NOT having the change to be associated with a possible winner. But how would he feel if my country man had died? Than he would have said : “We should not have run.” I think Edwin was wise to realize that living is better than dying and his Fam. is better off with a living person. And a Medal and Glory fades fast while life is a precious thing a gift that should not be trown away carelessly. My parents and countless others told me about real sacrefices and deaths of people that saved others during the Seccond World war, when “the Dutch” amoung others,stood up against the German regime, and I can honnestly say we are no cowards, and if it is needed will give up our life for others, yet understand that “sport” should not be a live-and death situation. I applaud Edwin for having the courage to say NO to unsafe behavior and faces the comments of people who do not have to put their life on the line, yet judge others. We should all stand behind someone who is smart enough to see the difference between courage and foolishness.
03/5/10 3:36 AM | Comment Link
DougG said...
3JR, Having heard the pilot of an airliner say “Ladies and Gentlemen, we have declared an in-flight emergency and have shut off 1 (of 2) engine ….” The best thing I ever did was get onto the return flight a few days later. However, I really have no desire to get on a plane ever again and haven’t. Part of me says someone should have forced him to go; like an Army lieutenant who drags a “paralyzed with fear” soldier up a hill into the fire of the enemy. The other says he should have been conditioned and trained better in facing his fears. DougG
03/6/10 7:09 PM | Comment Link