mpl35 said:
StinkyPinky said:
94chem said:
JDUB08AG said:
Pahdz said:
That's a tad harsh. These guys care about the relay man.
I don't have a strong opinion, but my wife was turned off how he ripped his name bib off and held it up following his win in the 100. Said "does he forget he is representing his country?"
I know these guys work their assess off and they want to win, but it can rub off negatively on the casual viewer and doesn't help with the narrative that they are all in it for themselves.
From the first workout you ever do until the day they put you in the ground, you always run for you first. 99.9% of all runners at every level suffer in obscurity, doing one of the most difficult things possible for nothing more than their own satisfaction. One does not run to win; I tell my kids (one runs in college) that if you like winning, you picked a terrible sport. The only reward is tougher competition. If you become your best you and celebrate that, it always makes your team better. Lyles may not celebrate like I or you would, but we all know he is proud of himself AND the flag. Let's go!!
I'll also add that as professional athletes this is their biggest financial opportunity to promote themselves. Have zero issue with it. Can't say just because they self promote means they don't care about representing the country. I'm going to assume they are proud to wear the colors.
It is more about how Lyles is a jerk to his teammates. Most of these athletes at least congratulate each other. Lyles too good for that.
Meh. I've seen him congratulate his teammates. I've seen him get concerned about teammates.
Most of his stuff is performative. He wants to bring attention to the sport, he wants there to be drama, he wants to increase interest. How he chooses to do that, it is what it is. But we're paying attention and we're talking about it, and that's his goal.