Sports 'Personality' 2009
"I still have a dream of being Olympic Champion"
Throughout his career Hackney born Phillips ‘Olaosebikan’ Idowu has been accused of inconsistency and failing to fulfil his potential. In 2009, in landing the Gold Medal at the World Athletics Championships, he put an end to that debate. But the journey to gold has been fraught with obstacles that have only been overcome through a steely determination ... a determination often masked by his taste for fashion and the flamboyant. And that's fundamentally what sets the elite apart ... not their talent but their unrelenting appetite to make something of their gifts in the face of daily adversity.
This is a man who has made it to the top from humble beginnings in a facility deprived London borough. A man who has had more than his share of injury and competition disappointment along the way. A man who for some years lived in the shadow of the nation’s squeaky clean favourite son. A man that, when asked to step up and become Jonathan Edwards successor, was criticised repeatedly for fashion over substance as he missed out tiem and again on the big title.
But ultimately this is a man who, in his relentless pursuit of his ultimate goal, has triumphed and in doing so with some style and no shortage of colour. On top of it all, when you ask around, Phillips has been able to do it all and remain a genuinely 'top bloke', respectful of fellow competitors, unassuming with us mere mortals, relevant and inspiring to the next sporting generation. So when we talk Sports ‘Personality’ at the weekend, let’s look beyond simple sporting achievement and reflect upon the backdrop against which a titles were achieved and the sense of style with which they were delivered. Viewed as such Phillips is right up there in the reckoning. He gets my vote.
All great victories need a credible challenge, a worthy vanquished, and at the 2009 Berlin Championships, in Nelson Evora there was just that. "Bring on 2012." - his words not mine.
Categories Sport Tags Endeavour Fashion Media
By Juan on 4/12/09
Comments
In this age of corporate speak and "the lads did well" sound bites, it's refreshing to see not only a Sports personality with an actual personality, but someone who is not afraid to be controversial. Unlike a certain Mister "God doesn't want me to compete on Sundays...unless the money's right" Edwards.
Posted By Eric Estrada on 4/12/09
Top performer and allegedly a top bloke if this piece is to be believed - something that is becoming less and less common in professional sport. Unfortunately for Phillips a certain Mr. Button will walk this year's Sports Personality award....
Posted By Hop-Step-Jump on 4/12/09
I vote SUBO...
Posted By cloud9 on 4/12/09
Is he a curler?
Posted By Hotpot on 4/12/09
My Comment