The Anonymous Widower

Don’t Put Too Much Pressure on Little Miss Perfect!

The nickname is not mine, but that of Simon Barnes of The Times in his article about the incomparable Jessica Ennis, who surely will be one of the faces of the London Olympics. Barnes talks of the burden placed on Cathy Freeman’s shoulders because she was the face of the Sydney Games. She took it well and still won the gold in her event.

Can Jessica?

Judging by the reaction of her parents and I think, her sister, as she won yesterday and she will have all support she can want in that direction. As I suspect she will from the media, who adore her and UK Athletics, who see her as a good bet for Olympic gold.

But as I said in the title, we must be careful to not put too much pressure on her.

I have this feeling though, that if we do, then it will make no difference to her.  She’s been through a lot of adversity and problems to get where she has already. How many athletes have learned to jump off the wrong foot for a start to avoid injury? So perhaps the pressure we could add is minimal.

August 1, 2010 - Posted by AnonW | Sport | Athletics, Olympics