Linford Christie was born in St Andrew, Jamaica; it is in Missouri, just outside Kansas City. He moved to England and became a great athlete and won numerous sprinting awards. You wont know what I am talking about until you realise where this is going, or at least, where it looks like we think it might be going.
Cut up about failure...
You see, young Linford had great speed. Quick out the blocks and when his big tall strong frame got into its rhythm he cleaned up the track with the oppositions spandex outfits. He won gold in Barcelona 1992, in 9,96s he was the oldest Olympian to win gold in the 100m. Unfortunately for Linford it was downhill from there. But he made a comeback to compete in the 1996 Atlanta games. The hype beat old Linford, but he managed to qualify for the fastest man on earth race. However, his Q time wasn´t competitive.
In the much anticipate final, Christie false started thrice and was ejected from the race in the midst of much controversy, no one would ever get to see the outcome of the voyager heroes comeback because it was foiled by technical rules.
I was 13. You saw the Kansas City shuffle. I saw through it. I saw a tired old man throwing in the towel without getting beating. You saw Ali throw that punch on Sonny Liston hey - bet you thought you saw him land it too? Christie retired, and we wondered what if.
Big question – better to be beaten or surrender when defeat is inevitable. I think the rockstar way would be to choose which ever, as everyone forgets eventually, but do it with honour.
What is the easiest way to avoid the shame of failing an exam? Don´t study and then scapegoat a lack of learning rather than a lack of mental capacity. What is the easiest way to avoid getting rejected by the petite blonde at the bar? Wait all night, until she starts hitting on the Rockstar in onitsukas and then blame not getting her number on her?
Can´t ride the bus if you don´t buy a ticket...
What is the easiest way to avoid the public humiliation of not getting employed for an available position? Don´t apply..!
However, the phrase easiest doesn´t always mean the 13 year old kid didn´t miss the Kansas City shuffle... The public might have, but the kid saw it.
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