Role Model

A role model is a person whose behaviour, example or success can be emulated by others especially by younger people. And the person must serve as an example whose values and attitude are associated with healthy living. Role models should demonstrate to young people how to live with integrity, optimism, hope, determination and compassion. They play an important part in the positive development of children and young people.

On the other hand role models can have positive or negative impacts on the younger generation and on society as a whole.

Best Role Models

Although all the characteristics mentioned above are essential components in the make-up of a role model, but in the end that person should show that he/she is admired by also demonstrating respect and inspiration.

Olympic Games of Antiquity

All athletic winners, only received acclaim and olive wreaths at the Olympic Games; but most, if not all, winners earned substantial rewards on return to their respective polis and acquired special privileges and a superior social structure. Their feats were elevated above other mortals with poems written about them and statues erected in their honour.

On his return home, the winner was paraded in most cases as if he returned triumphantly as a general from war. Solon, the Athenian Lawmaker, offered monetary rewards for any Athenian victor at Olympia. In Athens the victors were always offered a front seat at all public functions. It is recorded that later on many victors were exempt from taxation.

The Modern Olympic Games – 1896-1911 – Trial and Tribulation

The early days of the present-day Olympic Games did not, in fact, register major role models. The 1896 Athens Olympic Games, although well-organised compared to the Games of Paris 1900 and St Louis 1904, produced only one major star. Spyridon Louis from the then Athenian suburban town of Marousi in Greece, won the first-ever Marathon. This brought great delight to the Greek royalty and the partisan Athenian townsfolk. Spyridon Louis gained great admiration and respect, but his achievement was never translated into inspiring the Greek youth.

The 1904 Games in St Louis turned, to some extent, racist when the organisers held the so-called Anthropology Days. When Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the Modern Olympic Games, was informed of this disgraceful occurrence, he termed it an “outrageous charade” and then predicted, “of course lose its appeal when black men, red men and yellow men learn to run, jump and throw and leave the white men behind them”. How right he was!

There was one ray of inspiration for South Africa though. Two “Zulus”, Len Taunyane and Jan Mashiani who were working as dispatch runners at the South African exhibition in St Louis were invited to compete in the marathon. Taunyane completed the race in ninth place with Mashiani finishing twelfth. Taunyane might have finished higher had he not been chased by a dog forcing him to run off course for more than a mile for the part of the race. The significance is that at a much later stage much inspiration came into South African road-running. When Josia Thugwana, a former kitchen cleaner, won the marathon at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games he fortified popularity of long distance running in South Africa. Today, South Africans feature regularly in marathon races in many parts of the world.

Stockholm 2012

John Lucas, noted Olympic historian, wrote:

“Of all the countries in the world, Sweden is at the moment best qualified to host a great Olympic Games”, said the Baron de Coubertin at the Berlin International Olympic Committee meeting in May 1909. Not always right in his prophesies, Coubertin was never more correct this time in predicting that the vigorous, physical-culture-conscientious Swedes would bend every effort to conduct the best games up to that date. In several significant ways, the games of the Fifth Olympiad, celebrated in Stockholm, Sweden, were indeed the best organized and most pacific international games since the original Athens celebration. The Modern Olympic Games – John Lucas – Vide References

There were superb performances from many athletes from various parts of the world. Most notably was that of Jim Thorpe, an American Indian with some Irish and French blood, who won both the Pentathlon and Decathlon events. King Gustav of Sweden, who presented him with the medals addressed him, “You, Sir, are the greatest athlete in the world” and Jim Thorpe replied, “Thank you King”. Although he was later accused of being a professional with his medals being withdrawn, he was greatly admired and undoubtedly became one of the first Olympic role models. Thorpe’s admiration led the IOC to reinstate his Olympic glory and he was awarded the medals posthumously. The Olympic Stadium in Stockholm also became a different type of a role model. To the present day the stadium is still utilised for major sports events and the prestigious IAAF Diamond League Series.

Chariots of Fire

The 1924 Paris Olympic Games was highly popularised by the film “Chariots of Fire”. Sadly the focus was on the American and British duel on the athletics track. And the greatest stars were totally ignored. Johnny Weissmuller on achieving gold in the swimming events in Paris and also at the 1928 Antwerp Games became the most popular icon for many a kid and youngster in the Tarzan Films. His popularity and admiration were not as an Olympic athlete but as a movie star. Paavo Nurmi, the indefatigable Finn, whose life-size statue is a landmark at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium was admired, respected and he influenced many a Finnish athlete to Olympic glory. Paavo Nurmi won Olympic Gold at the 1924 and 1928 Olympic Games. In total the Flying Finn, as he was popularly known, won nine Gold and three Silver medals in twelve events at the Olympic Games.

Rome 1960

The 1960 Rome Olympic Games produced a plethora of stars. Cassius Clay, now Muhammad Ali, showed his dominance in the boxing ring by winning the Light Heavyweight Title. After the Medal Award ceremony, it was rumoured that Ali paraded everywhere in the village proudly showing off his medal as he was about to sign a professional contract which will earn him a significant amount of money. The admiration he has received during his lifetime is too immense and too extensive to narrate here. His contribution to society as a whole received a multitude of accolades in nearly every part of the world.

The present day dominance of African long distance runners emerged from the Rome Olympic Games. Abebe Bikila, a slightly built Ethiopian, raced barefoot to win the Marathon. Bikila’s unassuming and modest disposition is still remembered to this day. He is considered the father of the Marathon all over Africa.

Tokyo 1964

In honour of holding the Olympic Games in Tokyo, the IOC included judo as an official sport. Anton Geesink, a Dutch judoka became the first non-Japanese to win gold at the Judo World Championships in 1961 and 1965. He repeated this feat at the Tokyo Olympic Games by winning Gold in the Open Class. He thereafter was nominated as a member of the IOC. The street where he lived in Utrecht was named after him. He was admired and respected throughout Holland. Abebe Bikila, this time wearing shoes again won the Marathon. Billy Mills, a part Sioux Indian Marine Officer became the first American to win the 10,000 metre event. This event was later celebrated in the film in his honour, “The Running Brave”.

Mexico City 1968

The Olympic Games in Mexico City had a most difficult and controversial beginning. In the lead-up to the Games mass protests by students and ordinary citizens led to the fatal shooting of many protesters.

In August troops from the Soviet Union and some of its satellite countries invaded Czechoslovakia. African countries threatened to boycott the Games if apartheid South Africa was allowed to participate.

Harry Edwards initiated the “Olympic Project for Human Rights” which called on black American athletes to boycott the Games because of the unequal treatment of blacks in the United States; and as a protest against the participation of South Africa. In the end South Africa was barred from participating.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, then known as Lew Alcindor, refused to attend the try-out for the American Basketball Team, while many black athletes, although fully in support of the “Olympic Project for Human Rights”, decided to take part in the Games.

At the medal presentation for the 200 metre event, Tommie Smith the Gold Medal recipient and John Carlos, the Bronze Medallist put on black gloves when the American national anthem was played. An Australian, Peter Norman the Silver Medallist, wore a Human Rights badge during the ceremony.

Smith and Carlos were expelled from the Olympic Village by the US Olympic Committee and Peter Norman was ostracised by the Australian Media and was given a reprimand by the Australian Olympic Committee. Only recently, all three were given due recognition. Lee Evans, on receiving his Gold Medal for winning the 400 metres, wore black socks and took with him his shoes to the medal ceremony. This being the 50th year of the protest there are major celebrations in the United States acknowledging the brave stand of Smith, Carlos and Evans. The Australian Olympic Committee has now also recognised the feat of Peter Norman.

Vera Caslavska, the Czech gymnast, demonstrated her disapproval of the Soviet invasion by turning away from the Soviet Flag during the Medal Ceremony. She later repeated her protest when she jointly won Gold with a Soviet gymnast. On returning home she was totally excommunicated and all her positions which she held previously were withdrawn. It was only after the fall of the Soviet Union did the present government recognise her dangerous but justifiable stand in Mexico City.

The Football Mania

Presently, the FIFA Football World Cup is taking place in Russia. No doubt, football is the most dominant and most practised sports in the world today. It is therefore no accident that footballers tend to receive the most attention world-wide. Today’s young boys all wish to emulate the skills displayed by the

world’s top footballers. Besides, football, as a profession, is the lifeblood of many an individual.

Emulating the skills of footballers is most desirable, but some of their antics are certainly not a model to acquire.

Footballers of yesterday, to name just one, Ferenc Puskas of Hungary, displayed all the gentlemanly characters that all need to possess. But that cannot be said of many of the highly talented and skilled mercenary slaves of today.

Usain Bolt

It was sad to see the departure of the most admired athlete of the present era. Usain Bolt exuded so much fun and joy to all of us in his achievements on the track. Whenever he was scheduled to compete at an event the arena was filled to capacity. He radiated so much inspiration that it even surpassed his performances. He brought in entertainment of a different order. He nevertheless was extremely professional in his preparation for his events. A real role model for the young to emulate.

Nawal El Moutawakel

Nawal El Moutawakel, when she was awarded the Gold Medal for winning the 40- metre Hurdle at the 1984 Olympic Games, opened up a new world for athletes from the Arab countries. Her achievement indicated that the world of athleticism is the inclusive domain of women irrespective of religion and nationality. She certainly stimulated the performances of all Arab and Muslim females of the present Olympic era. Now it is a regular occurrence to see many Arab women participating unhindered in sports events.

Hero to Zero

Several greatly admired and highly respected Olympic stars fell from grace for one reason or another. A number of prominent figures in politics, business and religion have lost elevated positions for their miscreants. Sports stars are likened as role models and they act as ambassadors of fair play and healthy living. Therefore their misconduct and misbehaviour are interpreted as a huge disappointment and a delusion for their fans and the general public. And their miscreants are well-publicised.

Lance Armstrong, a Texan road-racing cyclist, had just recovered from met- astatic testicular cancer and went on to win the Tour de France a record seven consecutive times from 1999 to 2005. At the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games he gained a Bronze Medal. After the revelation from some whistle-blowers and an extensive investigation by the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), Armstrong’s highly sophisticated and well-planned programme to conceal his deceit was exposed well after he retired in 2005.

He was then banned from Olympic sport for life and all his results from 1998 were voided. CNN recorded it: “The epic downfall of cycling’s star, once an idolized icon of millions around the globe stands out in the history of professional sport”. CNN – 22 October 2012

Marion Jones won three Gold and two Bronze Medals in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. She became the first female to win five medals at a single Olympics. In 2006 Jones initially failed a drug test but the retest was negative and she was cleared to continue competing. There were numerous accusations that she regularly took drugs to better her performance but she continuously denied them. But finally the truth was out. Victor Conte, the founder of a drug laboratory, called BALCO, publicly declared that he had given Jones four different types of performance-enhancing drugs before, during and after the Sydney Olympic Games.

Thereafter, she confessed to lying to United States Federal Agents under oath and admitted to taking drugs. She was imprisoned for six months. Jones was then forced to return all her Olympic Medals and her performances were voided.

During her athletic career, Jones travelled the world as a role model for women’s athletics. But finally she fell from grace. There were many other Olympic athletes who performed misdemeanours or aberrations of one type or another. The list included, among others, Ryan Giggs (football), Boris Becker (tennis), Kostas Kenteris (athletics), Ekaterina Thanou (athletics), Justin Gatlin (athletics), Maria Sharapova (tennis) and Oscar Pistorius (athletics and para-athletics).

Some of the ones mentioned here committed merely only aberrations. But their reputations and popularity were badly damaged because, as prominent athletes, they were role models to many an upcoming athlete determined to emulate their respective accomplishments.

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References

Ekdotike Athenon SA: The Olympic Games in Ancient Greece, 1982.

Ferguson, N.: Sports Scandals, Summerdale Publications, West Sussex, UK, 2016.

Gardiner E. N.: Athletes in the Ancient World, Oxford University Press, 2002.

Greenberg, S.: Olympics Fact Book, Guinness Publishing, Enfield, UK, 1991.

Holden, M.: Sport and Society in Ancient Greece, Cambridge University Press, 2003.

Johnson, M.: Slaying the Dragon, Judy Piatkus (Publishing), Windmill Street, London, 1996.

Lucas, J.: The Modern Olympic Games, A S Barnes & Co Inc, Cranbury, New Jersey, USA, 1980.

Mallon, B. & Widlund, T.: The 1986 Olympic Games, McFarland & Co, Jefferson, N. Carolina, USA, 1998.

Maraniss, D.: Rome 1960, Simon & Schuster, New York, 2008.

Miller, D.: The Official History of the Olympic Games and the IOC, Mainstream Publishing Co, Edinburgh, UK, 2012.

Rhoden C. W.: Forty Million Dollar Slaves, Three Rivers Press, New York, 2006.

Scherer A. K.: 100 Jahre Olympische Spiele, Harenberg, Dortmund, Germany, 1995.

The Associated Press and Grolier: The Olympic Story, Grolier Enterprises Inc, Danbury, Connecticut, USA, 1979.

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Ramsamy Sam, "Olympic Athlete as a Role Model– then and now", in:K. Georgiadis (ed.), Challenges an Olympic Athlete faces as a Role Model, 58th International Session for Young Participants (Ancient Olympia,16-30/6/2018), International Olympic Academy, Athens, 2019, pp.90-97.

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