The Good Sport

Americans are getting fatter, I read yesterday, but thats old news. Every year someone does a study that measures the average American girth. If we had to wait for the fat lady to sing before it was over, I'd say she's got the pipes for the final curtain call and the waiting is up. Its not all bad for Americas fattest fatties though, the rest of the world is getting fatter, right along with "Lady Liberaly." I guess the Aussies and even South Africans figure they're ok as long as the Americans are still carrying the bulk of the weight.

A few things got me thinking about the ever illusive "sports tourism." Strange, I've never travelled anywhere for sport, so to speak. But when I did a mental inventory about my travels, it surprised me that the most memorable activities absolutely involved the commitment of my body. I think they call that excercise...

So it got me thinking...well a combination of a torturous spin class, watching the Lions and Boks last Saturday got me thinking. Firstly, I couldn't believe how many red jerseys were in the stands in suppoort of the Lions last Saturday. It looked like tens of thousands supporters took themselves on an internatinal holiday to support their rugby team. I suppose it was surprising because I've never had the urge to travel anywhere because of sporting events but what do you know, it happens.

So I thought I'd take a little peak into South African sports tourism. if you think about it, we're pretty sporty (and by "sporty" I include sedentary lifestyle shapeshifters who watch a lot of sport). We run marathons, play cricket, rugby, soccer, we swim, play golf, dance, play netball, hockey, volleyball...the list goes on. We have so many balls in South Africa, its no wonder we're so competitive.

Its definately added a new dimension to our already successful tourism industry. along with shopping (which should actually be a sport), eco, luxury, safari, sightseeing and all the other travel options we have available, we can now create an itinery thats sure to stretch even tighest joke strap.

And consider it an open invitation to the Americans! Welcome to the Land of free thinkers and brave attempts, sports wise anyway. Come and join us on an adventure and hopefully, catch a glimpse of what it feels like to run under the African sun.

Send them cycling, white water rafting, road racing, hiking, golfing, its like an Iron Man race that just never ends. So I'd say its time to get physical. See South Africa from an athletes point of view. A great way to record your sports holiday is with your cell phone. If you're GPS enabled, than log onto www.hummba.com and download the FOOTPRINTS application, you can track your entire race/trip/hike and show to your friends from around the world. All you do is upload all your photos and they'll appear exactly where you took them on your profile. So now you can't cheat.

Go on, log on to hummba.com...I'll race you...

Generally Cricket...

After reviewing today's news it was clear, early on in the game, that cricket is what's on every one's mind. South Africans are stumped in fact, their expectations have proven long off the reality of the situation. Seems the Proteas are at a silly point in the block hole, and believe me, no one wants to be caught behind a block hole, or is it black hole?

Yes, a disappointing result in the game against Pakistan. Graeme Smith is defending himself and his team protesting their unofficial title as "chokers." It got me thinking, perhaps its the same for everyone playing on a world-class national side, if you win you're a hero, if you lose...you're a doos (do-os [Doo-uhs] noun derogatory name for people who disappoint you even though it actually probably has nothing to do with you, you didn't contribute to the solution and in most instances, you don't know what you're talking about. Origins: South Africa, used by South Africans, usually to disrespect their national sports teams).

Graeme's voice cracked a little this morning on the news as he played up optimism and played down defeat. Got me thinking about ole Jiminy Cricket. Remember him? The character in Pinocchio that opens the movie with the Disney song, "When you wish upon a star" and then waxes lyrically to the audience about being optimistic and he was a non-believer once too, until he met Pinocchio. Now, there are several holes in that theory, like J Cricket uses little liar boy as an example but despite that, I love the lesson. Regardless of the situation, the score, the game, a little optimism is the only way to play and wishing upon a star? Sure, the returns on investment aren't guaranteed but is there any other way to play?

All the "realists" (which is code for pessimist) put your hands up. You? You're a realist? Well here's another Pinocchio inspired lesson for you...Jiminy Cricket tells Pinocchio that when he needs some guidance he should whistle, illustrated in the appropriately named song "Give a Little Whistle." I know many of you are wondering what kind of advice is that but take it like this...when you or the Proteas are floundering...show your support, not your claws. If your neighbours cat died and they were in tears carrying the kitty corpse, you wouldn't drop kick the lifeless body and confirm cause of death as choking would you? No. You wouldn't.

So, here's my point, you want to know cricket, take a lesson from Jiminy Cricket. Even though Pinocchio dies in what you think is the end...but the Blue Fairy rewards Jiminy with a gold badge for "acting well as Pinocchio conscience" and brings Pinocchio back to life. Let it be a lesson to you "Protea supporters," go for the gold, support in the face of defeat and who knows...the Protea-occhio's might just come back to life. Look on the bright side, the odds are always 20/20.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxA6j1UUw_0