Sporting Celebrities as Role Models
// July 21st, 2009 // No Comments » // Entertainment, Sports
It is a difficult task to be in the public gaze and having each and every move closely scrutinised and even personal life under the public scanner. But that is the price sporting celebrity’s pay for being the target of adulation of their fans. Now for the sporting celebrity, it is essential to have a level head to not be displaced from their lofty pedestal as the public is unforgiving and has a fickle memory and past sporting achievements sometime are lost from public memory.
From the tabloids to the print media, the constant public scrutiny may bring immense pressure on both performances on the sporting field as well as on their personal life.
The stories of the Paparazzi holding sporting stars even during vacations and in their homes are really despicable. But for the public salivating at the prospect of titbits about their favourite stars, the Paparazzi is willing to go to any extent as it is worth lot in the financial aspect!
However not all sporting heroes are being subjected to constant scrutiny from the media and sometime they are given some privilege of privacy.
From Lance Armstrong’s epic duel with prostrate cancer to his mind boggling six Tour de France, and Roger Federer’s record shattering Wimbledon wins, these modern day sporting icons are role models not only to aspiring sportsmen but also to people from all walks of life. Their constant success or failure has a link to the public mood and the affection they receive is fully deserved.
However when such an icon falls from public grace as either it be falling performance, use of unfair means, like performance boosting drugs, they lose their icon status and are reduced to ridicule and rile.
Some modern day sporting celebrities Christiano Ronaldo in football, Roger Federer in Tennis and Tiger Woods; in Golf respectively have been financial success that are unparalleled. Lance Armstrong in cycling and Michael Phelps in swimming, Michael Schumacher in Formula one motor sport.
Their public and personal life frequently intermingles in the public glare and these sporting celebrities become benchmark of society and even set social standards in some cases!
It is a fact that the stress of competition can make even champions crack especially if the stars are very young then there is a chance of burnout and despair for their fans. Jennifer Capriati is an example, although she made a remarkable comeback later on. The retirement age of sporting stars are reducing under the huge competition; Kim Clijsters, Martina Hingis and Justin Henin all retiring before 25 years of age in tennis can be an example!
As an aspiring sportsmen or growing up child, it is important to have the right kind of sporting role models, as it will shape future development to some extent. Putting priorities in clean performing athletes and more on their sporting achievements and not personal life would be pragmatic as personal life is shaped by environmental variables, which are very different for a celebrity, then any other person.
