In sports, I refused to do any interviews that were just going to become human-interest stories. Don't turn me into a tragic heroine.
Interpretation
Aimee Mullins emphasizes the importance of authenticity and rejecting oversimplified narratives in media.
Aimee Mullins expresses her discontent with media portrayals that focus on her as a 'tragic heroine', indicating her desire to be seen as an athlete and a person rather than the subject of sentimental stories. She advocates for a more genuine representation that goes beyond superficial narratives, highlighting the complexity of her identity and experiences.
In practice
This quote could be used in a motivational speech at a sports event emphasizing individuality over stereotype.
I'm not an advocate for disability issues. Human issues are what interest me. You can't possibly speak for a diverse group of people. I don't know what it's like to be an arm amputee, or have even one flesh-and-bone leg, or to have cerebral palsy.
I've had journalists asking me, 'What do we call you - is it handicapped, are you disabled, physically challenged?' I said, 'Well hopefully you could just call me Aimee. But if you have to describe it, I'm a bilateral below-the-knee amputee.'
An athlete experiences the emotions of pain and elation through triumph and defeat, through teamwork and individuality, as nothing more than a human being...that is the true glory of sport.
I think that everyone has something about themselves that they feel is their weakness... their 'disability.' And I'm certain we all have one, because I think of a disability as being anything which undermines our belief and confidence in our own abilities.
I have learned not to overlook the advantages of being me. From when I was a softball player, and I held the stolen bases record. I would slide into second with my prostheses, and the girl on the base could either step aside or meet two wooden sticks.
I'm not an advocate for disability issues. Human issues are what interest me.
Baseball is like a poker game. Nobody wants to quit when he's losing; nobody wants you to quit when you're ahead.
I'm very proud of our NHL players. I think they all handle themselves extremely well and they all work really hard.
In futsal, you see whether a player is really talented. You notice the small details in quality, class and tactical understanding.
The technocracy of professional sport has managed to impose a soccer of lightning speed and brute strength: a soccer that negates joy, kills fantasy and outlaws daring.
Gowdy had a love affair with the microphone and the fans had a love affair with him. American sports fans truly lost an icon, a legend who never felt he was bigger than anyone else. He had that humility that made him special, and he made everyone feel like they were so important.
You have to remember one thing: Football is entertainment; it's not life or death. Once the game is over, you're already talking about next year and the draft. It's just entertainment.
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