He Tore A Hamstring Dot Mee Dot UK

Form is Temporary, Class is Priceless

It is one of sport’s proverbial clichés, that “Form is temporary, Class is Permanent”. Simply speaking, even the greatest lose form on occasion, but their class endures.

However, being quite particular in nature – some might say obstinate – I have always concerned myself with the use of the word class. I will not contend that the word is unsuitable in its use, but it is one of those in the English Dictionary that has multiple meanings.

I have always thought of class more as the way that people carry themselves, comportement being the word that we took from the French to define this. In terms of sport, I refer to the aforementioned class as talent, and in the case of the truly blessed, genius.

In this respect, there have been many ‘world class’ performers who have absolutely minimal class. I can affirm this with the clear conscience that has witnessed a distinct lack of decorum from those of whom you would expect better, often from a closer observation point than I would care to mention.

It is, perhaps, a sad indictment of the modern sportsman, gross media intrusion withstanding, that we are more surprised by those who do acquit themselves with a sense of responsibility than by those who are consistently spoken about for the wrong reasons.

One of those who has consistently lived up to his reputation is former Track Star, Kriss Akabusi. With 9 Major Medals in his collection, 3 of them earned in the Olympic Games, he would have more validity than most in playing the ‘big I am’.

However, nothing could be more different. Kriss’ Akabusi Trust works tirelessly in supporting local, rural communities in Africa, particularly Nigeria, providing the most basic of amenities that we simply take for granted.

As I write, Kriss is in the middle of performing a 400 mile bike ride which begun in Edinburgh on Thursday, and will conclude tomorrow at the London Olympic Stadium. The trust has, to this point, raised in excess of £7,000, testament not only to Kriss, but also to the incredibly hard work done by his support staff, Liz Strangways and Andy Hollis in particular.

At each stage of his current event, Kriss has stopped at one of the UK’s major athletic venues, no doubt reminiscing of past glories, but more importantly spending time with today’s young athletes. After Meadowbank, Gateshead and Sheffield Don Valley, today brought him to Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium.

I count myself as being incredibly fortunate to have been invited to spend some time in the company of a man who is as inspirational in person as in perception. Not all of the youngsters recognised, or had even heard of him, but he received a standing ovation from every adult in the stadium when he walked in, despite the fact that there were still races in progress during an English Youth League meet.

Moreover, he took the time to sign each and every autograph, not only signing, but with personal dedications unfailingly. This, in addition to posing for the best part of 200 photographs. This, having just ridden the best part of 100 miles in the day. This, with that famous smile still beaming.

Those kids and teenagers who knew of Kriss Akabusi, will be at home having met a hero, whilst those to whom he was unknown, will scour YouTube and parental video collections for footage of the man in action.

My personal highlight of the day was to see the respect, friendship and camaraderie between Kriss and his old team-mate, Phil Brown, one half of the quartet that won the Silver Medal in the 4X400 metre relay at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Two men, who have accomplished success at the very pinnacle of their sport, the very picture of humility and respect. If form is temporary, I believe that talent is permanent. Class is also permanent, but cannot be measured from the outside. It emanates from within.