A 30-SECOND SILENCE was impeccably observed at the beginning of the London Marathon this morning following the bombings in Boston on Monday.
Marathon participants set off at 10am this morning. Many will be hoping for personal bests and to overcome the internal debates that rage in the mind of every long-distance runner.
For Keith Luxon, however, making it to the starting line is a victory in itself.
The Briton competed in the Boston Marathon on Monday and is still trying to take in the horrendous events that unfolded close to the finishing line, which left three confirmed deaths and more than 100 spectators and volunteers injured.
“It was like a horror film,” Luxon told the BBC. “You literally couldn’t believe what was happening.”
Luxon, who will be wearing his yellow finishers’ t-shirt from the Boston Marathon, said it never crossed his mind not to take part in the London equivalent. “If you let mindless morons control your life,” he reasoned, “you’ll never do anything.”
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I’m probably going to be panned for this but anyway. I’ve the height of respect for what the Irish women’s team have achieved in recent years. Breaking the English stranglehold on the 6N and winning that Grand Slam, beating NZ in the World Cup and so on.
But is it not bizarre that a woman like Tyrell, even an obviously highly talented one, can take up a completely new sport and make the Irish team within 18 months, an Irish team that we place on a huge pedestal? There’s surely no other sport where you could do that.
She’s obviously well-suited to the game and good luck to her (and the team) but it does make you question the quality that’s there a little bit.
in fairness look at the number of irish rugby internationals who took up rugby late and went on well…… john hayes comes to mind who had a similar start to rugby as Hannah Tyrrell being introduced to the game by friends….i wouldnt say its a massive lack of depth id say shes got the skills and abilities to play rugby for ireland and she did work her way up.
Hi Colm, there’s no question she has the skills and abilities to represent Ireland and, as I said, good luck to her. But you can’t just take up athletics, soccer, swimming, gymnastics, basketball etc and make the Irish team within 18 months. I know women’s rugby is still relatively new in this country and it has to start somewhere so it’s not a slight on her or the team.
It’s true that John Hayes was late taking up rugby but he first played for Bruff in 1992 when he was 18 and first played for Ireland in 2000. He really had to work his way up to get to the top level. I think that’s a completely different scenario in fairness.
The answer to this is the GAA. the basic skills learned in football can be applied to rugby, soccer, Aussie rules, etc… The skills of hurling lead to good golfers, tennis player, hand to eye coordination…. etc.
The “ABC” is what it is all about … A for athleticism, B for balance, and C for Coordination. This is Foundation Level GAA coaching.
Really think that GAA players have a lot to offer in sevens rugby. In particular for youth players, much was said about the size factor in the U20 World Cup but believe that an Irish Youth sevens team would not have that problem and would find an Olympic experience a bigger draw.
Rather than question the fact that you can make such a decision, support the girl. I know you most likely already do but did you ask this same question on every other athlete who switched sports? Anyway I’m not slating in case it sounds that way you’re right to ask :)