Spectator Sport
Crying games
So what was Nick Faldo blubbing about a week ago when he was talking to the media about his European Ryder Cup team’s meeting with Muhammad Ali on the Valhalla course at Louisville, Kentucky? He doesn’t strike one as the weeping kind, though he has form. I seem to remember him reaching for the man-size after tapping in to win the Open at Muirfield in 1992. And we’re used to sportsmen cracking up during the event (remember Darren Clarke red-eyed and tender at the K Club two years ago, only a few weeks after his wife had died). But before, a whole day before? All very peculiar, especially in contrast to Faldo’s general carry-on on Sunday after leading Europe to their biggest defeat for more than 25 years, when he was gambolling around like a teenager on a promise. I have a theory.
They arouse mixed feelings, do weeping sportsmen. Sometimes you want to slap them, but most of the time you can’t stop yourself joining in. France’s mighty flanker Sébastien Chabal, huge and hairy, strong and graceful as a lion, crouched on the mud in Paris weeping uncontrollably in the pouring rain after his side had been beaten by England in the semi-finals of the World Cup last year: now that’s a sight you won’t forget. And what’s a more potent symbol of the all-encompassing glory of sport: Chabal in tears or Jonny’s metronomic kicking? I know which means more to me.
Footballers are always weeping: Becks interminably; Gazza famously after being booked in the World Cup semis in 1990, knowing he would miss the final if England got through (he needn’t have worried, of course); Maradona too.
More articles from: Roger Alton | this section
Post this entry to: del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | NowPublic | Reddit
Advertisement
Global warning
Theodore DalrympleScratch the surface and there is always tragedy, mixed, of course, with wickedness.
And another thing
Paul Johnson
When the leaves fall is the fun time of year for artists
Status Anxiety
Toby YoungClasslessness means your five-year-old chanting ‘sheepshaggers’ on the terraces
The Wiki Man
Rory SutherlandA fortnightly column on technology and the web
Shared Opinion
Hugo Rifkind
If there really is a secret Zionist brotherhood running the world, why aren’t I a member?
Status Anxiety
Toby Young
I’m the celebrity who told ITV there was too much Ant and Dec — get me out of here!
Status Anxiety
Toby Young
I pity the fraudster who has to pretend to be me
Another voice
Matthew Parris
Contrary to myth, we are becoming ever wittier in our deployment of scorn
And another thing
Paul Johnson
From Hadrian to Gordon: sublime to ridiculous
And Another Thing
Paul Johnson
Stop throwing bricks! You might hit a bishop’s niece
Latest blog posts
sponsored links
Free Sky Digital Offer - Order Now
Subscribe to Sky from £16 a month. Get free equipment and free broadband - Join Now. Sky HD - be amongst the first to have it - order now.
Free Sky Digital Offer - Order Now
Subscribe to Sky from £16 a month. Get free equipment and free broadband - Join Now. Sky HD - be...
ROME CENTRE
PORTA METRONIA, ROME Standing high on the top of one of the seven hills of Rome- the Coelian- this unique
City Breaks. ROME and PARIS
ROME and PARIS: over 350 holiday rentals apartments listed: visit www.romanreference.com and www.parisreference.com or call +39 0648 903612.
Jewellery. RUFFS (Estd. 1904).
Goldsmiths by Design Welcome to Ruffs! You have found a company of Goldsmiths that specialises in the manufacture, amongst other
Spectator Business | Apollo Magazine
Corporate | Advertising | Privacy | Terms
Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London, SW1H 9HP
All Articles and Content Copyright ©2008 by The Spectator | All Rights Reserved
Harold Hilton
September 25th, 2008 10:45amFaldo is a hero - just not to the press. And Novotna was comforted by the Duchess when she lost to Graf in 1993.
With regard to the Champions League Final in May, it was Anelka's miss that 'gifted the game' to United. And 'almost four hours' of drama? From kick-off to the last penalty was rather less than 3 hours. Awesome article, though.