... more the taking part is what I always understood to be the true spirit of the modern Olympiad.
Its founder, Pierre de Coubertin put it more elegantly:
"L'important dans la vie ce n'est point le triomphe, mais le combat, l'essentiel ce n'est pas d'avoir vaincu mais de s'être bien battu.
The important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle, the essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well."
Bearing this and the fact that we British love a trier or an underdog in mind I thought it would be good to have a thread to celebrate those who exemplify this spirit and I offer up as a starter rower Hamadou Djibo Issaka from Niger.
Niger rower Hamadou Djibo Issaka received a rapturous reception from the Eton Dorney crowd despite finishing dead last in the men's singles sculls.
Issaka is a wildcard entry at the London Olympics and before the Games he worked as a gardener and swimming pool attendant in the capital of Niamey. He only took up rowing three months ago and trained for his Olympic debut in an old fishing boat.
He was then sent by the Niger Swimming Federation to Egypt and then Tunisia for an intensive course in rowing.
"I have no technique," Issake said. "I only rely on power. I compete with courage, but there also people cheering me there, they applaud me and urge me to help me finish my race and I will do it."
He now plans to compete at the 2016 Games in Brazil.
Its founder, Pierre de Coubertin put it more elegantly:
"L'important dans la vie ce n'est point le triomphe, mais le combat, l'essentiel ce n'est pas d'avoir vaincu mais de s'être bien battu.
The important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle, the essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well."
Bearing this and the fact that we British love a trier or an underdog in mind I thought it would be good to have a thread to celebrate those who exemplify this spirit and I offer up as a starter rower Hamadou Djibo Issaka from Niger.
Niger rower Hamadou Djibo Issaka received a rapturous reception from the Eton Dorney crowd despite finishing dead last in the men's singles sculls.
Issaka is a wildcard entry at the London Olympics and before the Games he worked as a gardener and swimming pool attendant in the capital of Niamey. He only took up rowing three months ago and trained for his Olympic debut in an old fishing boat.
He was then sent by the Niger Swimming Federation to Egypt and then Tunisia for an intensive course in rowing.
"I have no technique," Issake said. "I only rely on power. I compete with courage, but there also people cheering me there, they applaud me and urge me to help me finish my race and I will do it."
He now plans to compete at the 2016 Games in Brazil.
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