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Everyone knows that athletes are talented. To get to the top in a sport it takes dedication, natural skill and a whole lot of hardwork.
But something that I'm becoming more and more aware of is just how talented so many of the sports people I interview are. In my two and a bit years at TVNZ I'd estimate that around 80% of them are not only experts in their chosen sport, but are also incredibly talented in other areas.
A very public example at the moment are the two Dancing With The Stars finalists, Temepara George and Monty Betham, both are fantastic athletes and as it turns out talented dancers. Take All Black captain Richie McCaw, not only one of the world's best rugby players, but also a pilot.
Recently I did a story for ONE News about ultra-marathon runner Lisa Tamati. In a few months she'll be attempting one of the toughest races on the planet through Death Valley in California. And surprise surprise she also owns her own jewellery company where she makes exquisite pieces from scratch.
So why are athletes so multi-talented? Well I personally think its simple.
Sport teaches you how to achieve and how to strive to be the best you can be. You can't get to the top in a sport without hard work, a vision and the desire to get to the top. This attitude seems to filter into other areas of their lives.
I think it's incredible that even with the hours of gruelling training and commitment sport takes up, these athletes still have the motivation and drive to do, and be good at, other things. I love the fact that they push themselves to the limit to see what they're capable of, and then find the time and energy to devote to something else.
I know there will always be the athletes that set bad examples,
who get into pub brawls, drink too much or are constantly
surrounded by scandal. But it's also nice to reflect from time to
time on the ones that are just talented, motivated people.
Toni Street is a ONE News sports reporter, the face of
sport on
Breakfast, and presenter-commentator of the
ANZ Netball championships for ONE Sport. Toni is blogging for
tvnz.co.nz about the highs (plenty) and lows (there are a few
believe it or not) of what's pretty much a dream job.
