Comments on: From Hero to Zero http://www.connectioneconomy.com/2005/10/03/from-hero-to-zero/ Blogging about Tomorrow's world Today Sat, 13 Mar 2010 07:44:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Roger http://www.connectioneconomy.com/2005/10/03/from-hero-to-zero/comment-page-1/#comment-705 Roger Tue, 18 Oct 2005 10:06:59 +0000 http://www.tmtd.biz/2005/10/03/from-hero-to-zero/#comment-705 I emailed Ryk with a comment about this site, and he wrote back saying: Roger, You can post this on your blog. I never left the pool before the last person finished. What I did do was jump over the side of the pool to get out. No disqualification for that in any rule book. Just wanted to clear that up. Unfortunately someone will always find something to criticize. Cheers Ryk I emailed Ryk with a comment about this site, and he wrote back saying:

Roger,
You can post this on your blog.
I never left the pool before the last person finished. What I did do was jump over
the side of the pool to get out. No disqualification for that in any rule book.
Just wanted to clear that up. Unfortunately someone will always find something to
criticize.
Cheers
Ryk

]]> By: Keith http://www.connectioneconomy.com/2005/10/03/from-hero-to-zero/comment-page-1/#comment-659 Keith Wed, 05 Oct 2005 20:57:48 +0000 http://www.tmtd.biz/2005/10/03/from-hero-to-zero/#comment-659 Samcoco has a valid point. Ryk did give his time to sign autographs and generally be available to his fans. That deserves to be noted and credit given.I too admire him for his considerable achievements in the pool and can only imagine the kind of effort they demand. However, I was not alone in noticing the behaviour mentioned and some of the talk that did the rounds as a result. This was an age group gala and certain protocols should have been observed. I also should not have assumed attitudes (like arrogance) on the actions observed and so others can make their own assesments from whatever they might have seen. I don't choose to find only fault and attempt to point out the good and the not so good as encountered. So away from the more 'reporting' style of the original blog, I find myself less 'on the edge' when it comes to how I couch my current comments but I remain certain of actions that are deserving of questions being asked. Some can choose to ignore such questions at the cost of remaining grounded in circumstances when it is so easy not to be so. Samcoco has a valid point. Ryk did give his time to sign autographs and generally be available to his fans. That deserves to be noted and credit given.I too admire him for his considerable achievements in the pool and can only imagine the kind of effort they demand. However, I was not alone in noticing the behaviour mentioned and some of the talk that did the rounds as a result. This was an age group gala and certain protocols should have been observed. I also should not have assumed attitudes (like arrogance) on the actions observed and so others can make their own assesments from whatever they might have seen. I don’t choose to find only fault and attempt to point out the good and the not so good as encountered. So away from the more ‘reporting’ style of the original blog, I find myself less ‘on the edge’ when it comes to how I couch my current comments but I remain certain of actions that are deserving of questions being asked. Some can choose to ignore such questions at the cost of remaining grounded in circumstances when it is so easy not to be so.

]]> By: samcoco http://www.connectioneconomy.com/2005/10/03/from-hero-to-zero/comment-page-1/#comment-652 samcoco Wed, 05 Oct 2005 00:24:10 +0000 http://www.tmtd.biz/2005/10/03/from-hero-to-zero/#comment-652 Perceptions & experience more oft than not are wholly subjective to the individual.... Some food for thought when forming an opinion on events u read about but at which you were not actually present. However, having attended the gala in Durbs this past weekend I am qualified to state that my experience and observations of Ryk Neethling couldn't have been further from or more different to Keith's post above. From what I saw, Ryk did by no means exit the water before the last competitor had finished the race. And if the manner in which he left the pool serves as the real bone of contention, the worst crime Ryk seems to have committed is thatof jumping over the side of the swimming pool instead of swimming to the side, an action by no means any grounds for disqualification... What a shame that prejudice fuels the assumption that arrogance, disregard & disrespect are the bedfellows of Ryk's immense achievement & accolade. Instead of acknowledging the gruelling hard work, unbending commitment and impeccable results produced time and again in the water by Ryk, instead of expressing collective pride & support of the continued sterling performance of this world class South African sprinter there still remains individuals who choose to find fault even where there is none and criticise and tarnish his image and character. Yet no mention is made of that same Ryk Neethling choosing to remain behind at the gala diligently interacting, dishing out autographs and posing for photographs with ardent fans for more than 2 hours... I speak only for myself but would be blatantly lying if I said I witnessed Ryk setting a 'poor example' as a role model in any capacity. All I saw was a young man excelling at his passion with humility and poise and giving back selflessly to those in awe and admiration of his talent and accomplishments. How true what they say about 'the tallest trees being forced to fight off the most stormy of winds...' Perceptions & experience more oft than not are wholly subjective to the individual…. Some food for thought when forming an opinion on events u read about but at which you were not actually present.
However, having attended the gala in Durbs this past weekend I am qualified to state that my experience and observations of Ryk Neethling couldn’t have been further from or more different to Keith’s post above.
From what I saw, Ryk did by no means exit the water before the last competitor had finished the race. And if the manner in which he left the pool serves as the real bone of contention, the worst crime Ryk seems to have committed is thatof jumping over the side of the swimming pool instead of swimming to the side, an action by no means any grounds for disqualification…
What a shame that prejudice fuels the assumption that arrogance, disregard & disrespect are the bedfellows of Ryk’s immense achievement & accolade. Instead of acknowledging the gruelling hard work, unbending commitment and impeccable results produced time and again in the water by Ryk, instead of expressing collective pride & support of the continued sterling performance of this world class South African sprinter there still remains individuals who choose to find fault even where there is none and criticise and tarnish his image and character. Yet no mention is made of that same Ryk Neethling choosing to remain behind at the gala diligently interacting, dishing out autographs and posing for photographs with ardent fans for more than 2 hours…
I speak only for myself but would be blatantly lying if I said I witnessed Ryk setting a ‘poor example’ as a role model in any capacity. All I saw was a young man excelling at his passion with humility and poise and giving back selflessly to those in awe and admiration of his talent and accomplishments. How true what they say about ‘the tallest trees being forced to fight off the most stormy of winds…’

]]> By: Roger http://www.connectioneconomy.com/2005/10/03/from-hero-to-zero/comment-page-1/#comment-650 Roger Tue, 04 Oct 2005 15:02:26 +0000 http://www.tmtd.biz/2005/10/03/from-hero-to-zero/#comment-650 Hee hee, gotta love this blog! Hee hee, gotta love this blog!

]]> By: Nuf Sed http://www.connectioneconomy.com/2005/10/03/from-hero-to-zero/comment-page-1/#comment-646 Nuf Sed Mon, 03 Oct 2005 12:46:56 +0000 http://www.tmtd.biz/2005/10/03/from-hero-to-zero/#comment-646 OK so Ryk has an official web site (http://www.rykneethling.com). I copied this post, sent it to Ryk's contact (Jim - jstorey@swsmg.com) and asked him to respond on behalf of Ryk. Let's see if he does? OK so Ryk has an official web site (http://www.rykneethling.com). I copied this post, sent it to Ryk’s contact (Jim – jstorey@swsmg.com) and asked him to respond on behalf of Ryk. Let’s see if he does?

]]> By: Nuf Sed http://www.connectioneconomy.com/2005/10/03/from-hero-to-zero/comment-page-1/#comment-645 Nuf Sed Mon, 03 Oct 2005 12:41:55 +0000 http://www.tmtd.biz/2005/10/03/from-hero-to-zero/#comment-645 Someone find Ryk and get him down here to let us know why? Someone find Ryk and get him down here to let us know why?

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