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Everyone knows the great sporting heroes who win fame and Olympic medals for their countries. However, we don’t usually hear much about those unfortunate sportsmen who come last. This isn’t always the case however – especially if you are really bad!
Arguably the most famous sportsman in the 1988 Winter Olympics was Eddie ‘the Eagle’ Edwards. He was famous for being Britain’s first (and only) Olympic ski jumper, but more so for coming last and a long way behind everyone else.
He was also instantly recognised by his huge thick glasses and ‘goofy’ appearance. He didn’t mind though. After the Olympics he gave up ski jumping and flew all over the world, by jet this time, as a guest speaker and appearing in advertisements for international companies such as Coca Cola amongst others.
He even made a hit record ‘My name is Eddie’ which was number two in the Finland music charts. More recently a US film company has paid for his life story and are making a film of his life.
Eddie wasn’t the first ‘Famous Flop’ though. Way back in 1908, Italian marathon runner Dorando Pietri had the winning line in sight when he reached the stadium. However, completely exhausted, he staggered off in the wrong direction. Despite help from the officials poor Pietri collapsed and didn’t finish the race. It was only later that it was discovered that he had taken strychnine – a deadly poison which was then thought to be a stimulant. He was perhaps the first ever ‘drug cheat’.
At least he reached the stadium. The American sprinters Eddie Hart and Rey Robinson didn’t even manage that. They had both won their morning races but failed to appear for the next round. Their coach had got the timings wrong and thought they were racing in the evening!
In 1984, also in the marathon, Dieudonne Lamothe ran into the stadium to find it half empty, no competitors and few officials. Everyone else had finished hours before and they were preparing for the closing ceremony. He later said that national officials of the government of Haitian Dictator ‘Baby Doc’ Duvalier had threatened to kill him if he didn’t finish.
The real star of the 2000 Olympics was Eric ‘the Eel’ Moussambani. The 22 year old from Guinea in Africa set the slowest ever time for the 100 metres freestyle swimming. He was cheered home to finish in one minute 52 seconds – a full minute slower than the rest of the competitors. He had only learned to swim in January that year. This didn’t stop him being interviewed by Time magazine and making appearances on many US TV stations.
Paul Radcliffe was one of Britain’s best hopes for the canoeing gold medal in Sydney 2000. His hopes were completely shattered when he somehow managed to capsize his boat just a few metres from the finishing line.
Similarly, Australian Jane Saville suffered heartbreak as she came to the winning line in the 20 kilometre walk only to be told by an official that she was disqualified for a technical offence.
The Lithuanian basketball team went very close to pulling off the biggest surprise in the basketball competition in 2000 by beating the US. The Lithuanians weren’t supposed to be any good at all but with only seconds to go they were in the lead. Millions of viewers were no doubt disappointed to see the Americans take victory right at the very end.
This all goes to show that if you are a sportsman or woman, the glory of winning is fantastic, but like Eddie the Eagle and Eric the Eel, if you can’t win, you might be better off coming last!
If you would like to practise your English, try the following activites:
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