Athletics

Name the professional athletes you respect the most and why.

The Lost

I admire the people who run from hurt
Those who will jump mountains
Swim raging rivers
Punch unkindness out of their way

I admire those with the flexibility
To bend around unfair treatment
And slither gymnastically
Away from those they cannot trust 

Divers who hurl themselves downwards
Unafraid to face the pain
Plunging the depths
And rising to the surface free

The boxers
Who fight their way out of the box
The martial artists who face down their foe
Knowing their inner strength
Is trustworthy and whole

In life we value those who achieve
And rightly so
But we forget the little guy
Who’s still running even though
His shoes are worn out and he’s hungry

We forget the mothers
Working full time and raising a family
Swimming to keep their heads above water
So their kids don’t drown

We forget the fathers
Working full time for a pittance
Diving deep into their reserves of strength
To protect those they love

We forget the children
Living in homes that are breaking
Lifting the weight of the world
On their shoulders every single day

We forget the elderly
Whose closest companion is often isolation
Who have already dug deep and
Completed too many marathons in life
Yet never received one medal

We forget the lonely who have no companion
Facing each day in silence
Fencing with the negative emotions
That indifference brings

Yes we love those in life who excel
But do we worship the wrong things?
Let’s instead open our hearts and minds
See our fellow marathon runners of life
And give them a little bit of encouragement


They - and we - surely need it

Deb Hawken 2025

That’s interesting

I love the way poetry brings out the unexpected.

I do admire many athletes, but more for who they are as people. I remember when our 1980s runners Sebastian Coe and Steve Cram, went on a tour encouraging young people with asthma to take up running, because running helped their asthma, and many people thought it wasn’t safe for them.

Many athletes of all kinds have a wonderful conscience, because they tend to be in teams, have fans, and be more aware of problems.

Marcus Rashford and his work on school breakfasts for children from struggling homes, is another bright light.

There are actually too many to name. Isn’t that nice.

But we should never forget those who have fought all their lives, sometimes in a daily battle for sanity, and never underestimate how hard it is.

Those battling illness, including life long conditions, mental health issues, or the results of accidents. Waking up to that again each day.

Those who have suffered severe abuse at the hands of others, experiencing rape, beatings, and worse, who are still standing. That takes immense courage. To move on from that? I have no words.

I could go on and on. But I think the message that came through to me strongly with that poem is:

We don’t pay enough attention to each other

Share the love and respect with those struggling.

Tell them you’re awed by their courage.

Help and encourage them whenever you can.

Make them feel like the gold medalist in your life, and watch them heal.

Be their super coach.

Best love – you matter

Deb xx