In the world of track & field how do we determine what makes an athlete elite? What qualifies an individual to stand above all the others in their specific field of competition? Do these questions have a simple answer? Of course they do. The word elite in itself is defined as a group of people, or an individual, considered to be the best in a particular society or category because of their power, talent, or wealth. Now for those of us who have competed in sports, no matter the type, you know that being considered elite is simply excelling over your competition. In this instance we specifically call those elite athletes those who rank at the top of the field of competition by measuring who ran the fastest times, jumped the farthest or highest lengths, or threw the longest distance in feet. At Illinois State University an athlete can be considered elite in the Missouri Valley Conference but does that make him or her elite on all levels, a level such as the Worlds Championships? Of course cannot because all levels are considered to be different and on a more different level than the next. Being an elite athlete is being a great athlete and being a great athlete is more than just your physical attributes. Bringing something above and beyond the average is what makes you memorable and legendary. Question? Does a controversial scandal make an athlete not elite? For example, for those of you who follow track and field, what is your opinion on the whole Marion Jones issue. In 2007 Marion Jones acknowledged using steroids as she prepared for the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney. She had won five medals at that Olympics and was unhesitatingly considered to be the greatest female athlete in the world at that time. So I leave you with this.....would you still consider her as ELITE?
Confession of Steroid Use
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