Friday, August 8, 2008

Two same day events.

Today marks the opening of the XXIX Olympiad in Beijing, and the first anniversary of this blog. At 12:24pm on 08-08-07 I put up my first post. Since then, I have added another 44 threads; these 45 threads have receieved over 600 comments.

I would like to thank all who have participated. The level of dialogue has exceeded my expections; the charity exhibited has been outstanding, especially given the diversity of those posting; and I have had to impliment no moderation and/or editing of any of the comments. Once again, thanks to everyone.

I am looking forward to another year of blogging—the Lord willing. Hope to see your continued particaption here at Articuli Fidei !!!


Grace and peace,

David

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

David,
Congratulations. Not on the Olympics, but on the blog. I suspect this blog might be like the old days (before my time) of ZLMB.
Charity, TOm

Paul Hoffer said...

David, congratulations. I hope to continue seeing your posts for years to come.

God bless!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! I, too, look forward to another year of reading and participating on your blog.

David Waltz said...

Thanks guys!!!

This beachbum is a real Olympics junkie; will most likely not put up a new thread until the games end…how about that 4x100 relay!!!


David

Anonymous said...

The Olympics? Do they still have those?

Anonymous said...

Many sports commentators are floating Michael Phelps' name as "World's Greatest Athlete". I would agree that he is the "World's Greatest Swimmer. But he needs to something on dry land to win the other. With the kind of awkward physique that seems to be an advantage in the water, I rather doubt swimmers could be very competitive out of the water.

The "World's Greatest Athlete" needs to show strength and speed in short bursts and with endurance. Traditionally, that is what a decathlon event discloses. Athleticism is sometimes being confused with a skill associated with some game that requires some athletic ability. That is why we are hearing Phelps compared to Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and Wayne Gretzky.

I am not minimizing the skill to shoot a free throw under pressure, sink a long putt for birdie, or make a slap shot. But you can do those things without strength or speed. It is a learned and refined skill, not athleticism that makes most players on team sports succeed.

Athleticism is pure, raw speed and strength in short bursts and long endurance. The best decathlon man in the world at any given time, is probably the world's greatest athlete. And I couldn't give you more than two names. Rafer Johnson and Bruce Jenner.

I am not committed to the decathlon as THE perfect event to determine the world's greatest athlete, but I love the way it shows how to be all-around proficient at speed, strength, quickness, and endurance, one must nopt concentrate all of their efforts toward one particular event. The decathlon shows us that to become the very best at one event, is most likely to hinder you in another. That is why the guy with one gold medal in the decathlon is in my mind, certainly a far greater athlete than anyone who isn't even competitive when you get him out of the water.

Rory




I have heard names to compare with Phelps such as Tiger Woods. Please...the guy never has to break a sweat. He is the World's Greatest Golfer". Somebody else mentioned Alex Rodriguez, and it was replied that he can't be because he doesn't produce in October, during the playoffs. When has Phelps demonstarted any kind of longevity

David Waltz said...

Hi Rory,

I too get annoyed with the phrase, “World’s Greatest Athlete”. I have heard many referring to Phelps as the “World’s Greatest Olympian”, and that I think is a much better phrase to capture the essence of what he is, and has accomplished—one I agree with.

As for whether or not the decathlon should be considered as the best gauge for the “World’s Greatest Athlete”, maybe; however, there are some other important athletic attributes which the decathlete does not necessarily need to exhibit with a high degree in order to succeed at the sports highest level: dexterity, eye-hand coordination, great reflexes, and ‘balance’ (I have gymnastics in mind), to name a few that immediately come to into my thoughts.

Yet when all is said and done, I cannot postulate a better candidate for the title of the “World’s Greatest Athlete” than the best decathlete in the world—who has been for a number of years one Roman Šebrle of the Czech Republic (the only man every to exceed 9,000 points – 9,026 to be exact). But at age 37, he is well past his prime…

Perhaps we need to come back to this thread once we find out this Olympiad’s gold medal winner (hopefully the US’s Bryan Clay!!!).

Grace and peace,

David

Paul Hoffer said...

I thought the Great Leslie was the greatest athlete...