in awe....but with exception it seems

I am sure most if not everyone watched the olympics. Its compulsive television isnt it?
And like most people if not all, I too come under that complete spell of amazement when I look at the athletes and their fight for excellence, for excellence it is, the best in the world in the truest sense of the words, the cliche..
Its not the fight per se however that amazes me; its the dedication, the grit, the sheer commitment behind the moment of reckoning. Every time I was watching a competetion, I caught myself marvelling at the amount of efforts that went into making what I saw in front of me real. I am in awe of it when I think about how each and every athlete persent there must have spent 4 years of their lives for the chance to compete at the olympics. Each day every day for 4 years. pushing yourself.physically.mentally. each day.every day.....its overwhelming..

It dawned on me that what I marvel at at the olympics isnt rare after all. I have seen dedication. I have seen committment. I have seen sacrifice. I have seen that gritty determination day after day, year after year. And I have seen it all at home! My parents have never taken a vacation in their life. They have never spend money on themselves. They havent bought themsleves things unless it was not an option anymore. Their entire life has been in the pursuit of securing a good life for their kids...no gold medal to take home....no fame....no recognition even....but single minded dedication....committment par excellence
I may not be the only one to see the obvious... although I suspect I may be one of the many who dont admit it....even to themselves!

Coming back to the olympics, found my self ruminating about my reaction to Usian Bolt. He achieved beyond "the sky is the limit" at beijing. He was not the only one though. To put it very simply, I wasnt too kicked about Bolts' success. And according to the commentators I am not the only one towing this line of thought.
I've asked myself "why" too, many a times. Is it to do with "grace in victory"? why did it grate my cheese when I saw bolt pushing his face into the camera, pointing his finger towards the sky and yelling "NUMBER ONE" ...it made me ....it ruffled my feathers, I squirmed at the audacity. Why?
A lot of atheletes achieved their dreams at beijing and in style. Bolt isnt the only one who will go down in the annals of sporting history with glory. But he is the only one I am not happy about winning.
Why do we want people to succeed and be graceful about it? Why cant we let them decide how to take it? Why are role models one's who arent loud about their success? Why is modesty a desirable trait among winners? Why is being down-to-earth admirable and flying high on success being vain?

Post Script : July/21/2010
Could being humble and/or exercising self-restraint be one of those noble virtues ordinarily difficult to attain in a human being so that when it is spotted, the possesion of this character trait in itself is admirable? And therefore the higher the acheivement of a person more superior he/she becomes if able to practise self-control and not give away to the most easily acquired desire to vaunt?