48 For extra news go to www.thecatholicuniverse.com Sport (SWIFT) Like us on facebook - search Catholic Universe Newspaper How sport is a good icebreaker for making new friends

Mgr Vladimir Felzmann Great Olympic friendships: and Luz Long are pictured at the 1936 in Berlin. In case you missed it, the United Na- ‘That business with Hitler didn’t bother me,’ Owens later wrote. ‘I didn't go there to shake hands. tions designated 30th July as the In- What I remember most was the friendship I struck up with Luz Long’. ternational Day of Friendship. How- ever, as the start of the new belonged – and was appointed Head the same emotions. Soon you will that the German long jumper Carl academic year approaches and Boy. Then, at Imperial College I took share the same life’s narrative: the Ludwig “Luz” Long – tall, blue-eyed HMG wants all children to attend up rowing – and won half a dozen same memories. You will realise that and blond – was the personification school – it seemed worthwhile to fo- ‘pots’, making a few good friends – ‘today’s disasters are tomorrows an- of the Aryan ideal of Nazi ideology. cus on it this weekend. one of whose two children I eventu- ecdotes – even jokes.’ And although Owens arrived for Real friendship has at least three ally baptised. As – like St Paul [2 Tim You don’t need to worry about qualifying on the morn- components: friends must enjoy 4,7] - I approach the finishing line of making small talk in order to bond ing of 4th August as world record each other’s company, they must be my life, I readily admit that for me because the sport you’re involved in holder, he appreciated the wise ubuntu: of benefit to one another, sport and friendship have been life- will help you do that. Pulling each words from his chief competitor, and they must share a commitment enhancing blessings. other’s leg when there are mistakes, Luz. Consequently, Jesse adapted his to ‘a common good’; maybe the arts, them to find friends they really click If, as you will read in the Bible, “a slapping each other’s back when run-up to make sure he qualified – or a political party, perhaps a hobby, with. It worked with me. Why not of- friend is a treasure,” [Sirach 6:14] a there is success, after the game criti- and regained his self-confidence. a team or a club. A friend is an alter fer your child this article to read? good friend is a diamond. “I’d rather cising the same referee – and dis- As soon as Jesse won gold, and ego: another you. When, aged six, I arrived in Lon- have three really good friends than cussing the opposition – soon welds Adolf had waked out of the stadium If your child is new to the school – don from Czechoslovakia, I was re- 20 good friends.” admitted David heads and hearts into a real commu- in a disgusted-huff, Luz – with his and government restrictions on ferred to – and to my face called –a Beckham, the first English player to nity. silver – was the first to congratulate Covid-19 protection allows – to BF: a “Bloody Foreigner”. This en- win league titles in four countries: If you’re someone that struggles Owens in his moment of victory. make new friends, encourage him or couraged me to not only to swiftly England, Spain, the United States with social grace, sports can teach “You can melt down all the medals her to join a sports team. As “new learn to speak English with a South and France. He retired in May 2013 you about interacting with other and cups I have,” Owens wrote later. kids on the block,” sport will give London accent but to take up sport. after a 20-year career, during which people, listening, and letting some- “And they wouldn’t be a plating on them an instant sense of belonging. Training hard, I was soon picked for he won 19 major trophies. one else have centre stage. You’ll the 24-carat friendship I felt for Luz Other activities like after-game throwing the javelin – becoming U15 There are many reasons why learn to take the spotlight without Long at that moment.” meetings and – as they get older – Wandsworth Champion, no less – sports provide a good icebreaker for arrogance when you win like a By letters they kept in touch until perhaps late-night team-parties, will and playing 1st XI football at new friends. Training together, win- champ, and handle losses with hu- Luz was killed in action on 14th July extend their social time and allow Clapham College for three years. I ning – or losing – you will experience mility. Remember, the past is a re- 1943. After the war, Jesse contacted hearsal for the present. and kept in touch with his son, Kai. As you and your teammates play, “In this way our friendship was pre- you’ll understand the benefits of giv- served” wrote Jesse. Their friendship ing other people the chance to bridged and did not mind the racial shine. [In football, assists can make gap. you feel great, as Ryan Giggs, world Later Jesse wrote: “Friendships record holder with 162, will tell you.] born on the field of athletic strife are All of this is invaluable when it the real gold of competition. Awards comes to making friends. Playing a become corroded; friends gather no sport of some kind is also a good dust.” Jesse Owens won four gold way to keep in shape – and avoid not medals in those Berlin 1936 Summer only drugs but obesity. God has Olympics: 100 metres, long jump, given you your body, it’s only fair to 200 metres, and 4 × 100-metre relay. look after that gift. Not only was he the most successful Maybe, because he was also an athlete at the Games but, as a black outsider – and though not called a man, was credited with “single- BF, he had the N-word thrown at handedly crushing Hitler’s myth of him – one of my sporting heroes is Aryan supremacy”. Mind you, he re- Jesse Owens. On 4th August 1936, membered: “I wasn’t invited to the A group of boys during a the day before his 200m victory, White House to shake hands with training session for a Owens had already received some- the President, either”. junior football team. thing he subsequently claimed he A warning to young – and not so Joining a team can form prized above anything that found its young – readers. On retirement, new friendships. way round his neck during those Jesse took up smoking. In 1980, aged Credit: SeventyFour seven days of glory: the comrade- just 66, he died of lung cancer. (iStock photos) ship of “Luz” Long. In a fortnight, we will Mister had imagined explore self-confidence.

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