Wouldn’t it have been an Olympic story-book ending for MebK to have landed on the podium during the ’12 London Games. How often and how easy is it to cheer for the underdog, we all do it. Counted out by most, including major sponsors, for the trials he lands a spot with the win and his Sketchers kicks. That alone makes a story.
Long a fan of the underdog vs. the dominant player I’m guilty of some of the traits and characteristics pointed out in a Slate piece written with a science slant to it:
Root for the Underdog. Of all the reasons presented I’d suspect mine stems from some of my own personal disadvantages and obstacles presented at an early age. Recognizing, at a fairly young age, differences in my situation from that of many peers I was often torn. Torn between pushing a little extra hard to capitalize on some second chances I was given and giving in/giving up on what I perceived as an inevitable path.
Igor Marial, refugee of Sudan, lined up with one of the better human interest stories of these Games. An athlete without a declared nation under which to run the guy works the third shift at a group home in Flagstaff and came in very much an underdog with only a couple marathon distances to his credit. Another story deserving of a great end to the story–in fact they both have that ending. Simply by making the start they beat back odds and by seeing it through–finishing an event that saw nearly 10% DNF–they pushed through to see the finish.
They did it—-so can I. Transferring possibilities is among many reasons the (educated) pros give to explaining our soft spots for those unlikely to land on top. I’m plenty guilty of cheering for the little guy, the new guy, the next generation, the irresistible human interest story. I’d suspect those more in touch with their emotional side rate higher on the root-for-the-little guy
I happened upon a pair of Sketchers, I’d never owned a pair before. They’re a sport-sandal, not a sneaker. New at purchase time) they’re among multiple purchases from ReActivate ; another underdog story. Good to great stuff at often ridiculously low prices. Places such as this deserve a look (or ten) right along side the big-boxes.
We’ve all been in situations that feed upon our weaknesses vs. our strengths. Catching some momentum while in that underdog spot can help vault us beyond the (low) on-paper expectations others may have of us. What better position to be in than that of out-performing, delivering more than our situation says we should. Sometimes the fourth place finisher is remembered more than the first place finisher. Surely we’ve all given that extra to build our own storybook finishes. Maybe not first but certainly the finish of a champion.
