Comparison.. that's what we
always do.. we compare an athlete to another, a country level to
another, the national level to the international one, the endurance of
athletes, or the speed and the throws or the jumps.. We compare a
performance to the record.. This is the point, we always compare
something to something better, excellent and perfect, even if the
perfection doesn't exist.
By definition, Excellence is a
talent or quality which is exceptionally good and so
surpasses ordinary standards. It is also an aim for standard of
performance. In Track and Field, scientists say that the human body has
limits, if you take it logically, of course it has, but how far can that
body go? From the 19th century till now, world records are improving,
and the human body is always pushing the limits. If we Believe what the
scientist are saying, we must see the progression stopping at a certain
limit, but no one can tell.. If we "compare" the training conditions and
techniques of the 20th century and now, we see a huge difference in
thinking, in concepts and strategies, of course, due to the
technological revolution. But, if we can't determine how far the
technology can go we can't determine how far the human body can go.
There are also other conditions, such as the weather conditions which
are slowly and gradually becoming worse. This can directly affect the
improvements of the athlete, even though, humans can adapt their systems
and their mechanisms to suit their environment.
Moreover, a new horizon has opened up for the consumption of drugs
which is spreading at a fast pace! How fast the medical examinations
improve to detect drug use through anti-doping tests? Excellence, this
is what an athlete looks for. For example, in high jump, the technique
was improved several times to stop at the Fosbury technique that is the
most helpful for the high jumper. If an athlete will execute the
technique without any mistake, the coach's first reaction will be:
"Perfect!" or "Excellent", is it true? The Technique can always be
improved, when Dick Fosbury jumped with that style, it wasn't as good as
it is today, of course that if we "compare" his jumps to the jump of
Mutaz Barshim for example. Biomechanics plays its role here.
Finally,
when we "compare", it means that there is something better to reach.
The national level should me compared to the international one, so we
can work on improving it to reach a higher degree, a better esteem. No
one should underestimate him or her-self, the excellence is reachable with perseverance, dedication and commitment.
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