What's your style of winning?

I’ve just won two local Chinese American recreational track meets in the 400 Meter twice, recently. As a college decathlete, I had never even come close to national level. However, I love sports, especially track and field. That's why I still enjoy training and running at some sort of competitive levels. In particular, the 400 Meter became my favorite event after giving up on the 1500 Meter due to multiple sports injuries. I was very excited and impressed by the South African who set the new world record in 400 Meter at Rio Olympics. 

If exciting was the right word for me watching the Men's 400 Meter final, then the Women's 400 Meter final was dramatic and baffling. Although residing in the US, I have no intention of favoring American runners at all. It's my passion for sports and virtue that make the loud noise inside. Miller's winning does not emit an honorable sound (inside).

First of all, Allyson Felix demonstrated a very strong finish in the final 100 meters. Playback showed she was leading, or at least catching Miller at the 100 Meter start line. She was also ahead of Miller at the 1 mile and 2 mile start lines later. Thus Felix had shown great winning potential and style-having her whole torso pass the finish line vertically. Given another two meters, and Felix would have won with more unarguable evidence.

Secondly, by choosing a fall to reach finish line, Miller sent a message to the world that she had lost the confidence in winning "normally", or classically. Otherwise she would not have chosen such a theatrical approach. Had she fallen accidentally and genuinely, she would have sustained an injury and called for medical attention. Apparently, it was not the case, she was just lying on the track, resting and waiting for the final call of who won the race.

Sports are exciting because of strong competitions, especially at the Olympic level. These events not only present our physical capabilities, but also our kindness and elegance. There is a style of winning, like Usain Bolt. I admire those winners who show their class and grandeur like Felix, who approached Miller on the track to congratulate and check out whether she was fine after the fall.  

There’s more than just winning in sports, and there are always winners with styles, class, and elegance.

Frank He, L. Ac., QME
Kindly edited by Désiré Desrosiers
Photos credits go to John Chu