Weightlifting in North America is not well funded.
Compared to the NBA, MLB, NFL or NHL,
it will be more truthful to say that it is not funded at all.
To freely train and compete,
and not have to bother with funding one's living
is not an option for even the top athletes.
Many "gifted" athletes thus pick up weightlifting,
show potential,
but on facing the reality of this poor-man-sport,
swiftly switch to other greener pastures.
Other "passionate" ones
work hard all their life, working odd jobs,
raising families, coaching, running clubs and competitions,
starting online communities, or even building "apps"
to continue to train and compete.
You may be thinking this is just another rant.
That I am another "passionate" ranter.
Or you may be wondering
"Where is he going with this?"
Because by now,
you may have read or heard such rants.
Some got tired of ranting.
They tried to solve this "problem"
in one or many ways.
Others like them are still trying
and will try in the future, I am certain.
Perhaps their attempts
will slowly change this "funding problem" with the sport.
Perhaps not.
I wish,
I had the same "belief" in hope
as my fellow weightlifters and their coaches to say -
"One day, things will be different."
I wish I could say...
"One day, Weightlifting will shine so much
that it will clearly show other more famous sports
the potential that it carries to overhaul one's body and mind."
But
I cannot.
I cannot Lie.
Yes, weightlifting has suffered from a lack of attention.
But this is not why there is a
lack of bigger and popular names in the sport.
Because this is far less of a concern than
other deeper, almost evil concerns
latent in the mainstream sports' culture.
You want the Truth?
It is not just that Weightlifters have
to struggle and live a double life.
The kings of NBA, MLB, or NHL
live a double life as well.
I will state with utter certainty
that only a handful, if at all,
even in the most prized sports,
are truly devoted to their craft.
It is just that the limelight on those sports
is too bright to discover
the otherwise mere dim of a spark in the eyes of its athletes
for the sport itself.
Their eyes are affixed on the prizes
and the other "goods" that come with
being able to don a celebrity status.
The "fancy" sports are fancy because
of the entertainment it provides the masses with.
Money, status, and ego games everywhere.
The lives of even the most prized athletes
are empty. Not just yours.
Dear budding champion,
it is not that you are cursed to have picked
weightlifting over the "greener pastures".
You are cursed to have been born
in modern times.
You are cursed to have been born
in the center of the world.
The curse does not allow you a true moment's
experience with your sport - weightlifting or otherwise.
Do you understand?
You have been living a double life
since long before the act of throwing around kilos
has had your heart.
The culture around you is that of chasing.
It is that of seeking the approval of others.
And constantly doing what you should do
so that you completely avoid the urgency
of what needs to be done - both in your sport and in your life.
"My sport is not as popular as NBA or NHL"
or
"I work hard as a
painter/carpenter/coach/student
to be able to prepare for the Olympics"
does not even qualify as an excuse.
"I am not seriously devoted to Weightlifting."
is more like it.
Thank you.