THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 7, 1996 TAG: 9608070007
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 26 lines
And so now the ``humanists'' have come forth to declare ``At what price do we train and cultivate our young athletes in the hope of becoming Olympic champions?''
I must ask a question or two in response to this thinking. What is the meaning of glory? Does risking glory - particularly selfless glory - not entail putting one's own life or limb on the line for the sake of family, or team, or country?
Kerri Strug (who in spite of stature was indeed past the age of consent) decided to seize the moment and, yes, risk grave injury to ensure victory for her team.
She won the team medal, won the hearts of her countrymen and also won herself a moment in time that will be remembered - in her selfless glory - for generations to come. These opportunities rarely present themselves, and if never taken are simply lost in a human sea of mediocrity and self-preservation.
My hat is off to Kerri - the lion-hearted.
EDWARD S. NELSON
Chesapeake, July 25, 1996 by CNB