Daley Thompson

[AshtonBlueMooner]

Absolutely hero worshipped Daley many years ago. What an athlete, unbelievable desire to win and also the leading light in track and field late 70’s, early 80’s for team GB.
However, just watched the documentary on him and got to say, he doesn’t come across great. Maybe it’s the editing or something but unfortunately it’s really tainted my opinion of him.
Anyone else seen the documentary? Am I being too harsh?

 

[mexico1970]

Absolutely hero worshipped Daley many years ago. What an athlete, unbelievable desire to win and also the leading light in track and field late 70’s, early 80’s for team GB.
However, just watched the documentary on him and got to say, he doesn’t come across great. Maybe it’s the editing or something but unfortunately it’s really tainted my opinion of him.
Anyone else seen the documentary? Am I being too harsh?

Why? Is he a rag?

 

[PPT]

Absolutely hero worshipped Daley many years ago. What an athlete, unbelievable desire to win and also the leading light in track and field late 70’s, early 80’s for team GB.
However, just watched the documentary on him and got to say, he doesn’t come across great. Maybe it’s the editing or something but unfortunately it’s really tainted my opinion of him.
Anyone else seen the documentary? Am I being too harsh?

He had a very tough upbringing and went on to be an Olympic champion. Respect from me.

 

[bluenova]

Absolutely hero worshipped Daley many years ago. What an athlete, unbelievable desire to win and also the leading light in track and field late 70’s, early 80’s for team GB.
However, just watched the documentary on him and got to say, he doesn’t come across great. Maybe it’s the editing or something but unfortunately it’s really tainted my opinion of him.
Anyone else seen the documentary? Am I being too harsh?

I'll give it a watch, but can believe how he might come across. He was on one hand, an inspirational, happy go lucky character, but definitely had another side too. The Carl Lewis t-shirt was a pretty grim episode, which suggests a meaner spirit.

Still, there was a nice article about him and doc in the Guardian, by Cath Bishop, who was an Olympic rower, but had a lovely friendship with him a long time past his own peak. Her article certainly suggests the positive side of his character, that made him so popular in the 80s, was genuine.

 

[doots]

Was mint on the commodore 64

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

Absolutely hero worshipped Daley many years ago. What an athlete, unbelievable desire to win and also the leading light in track and field late 70’s, early 80’s for team GB.
However, just watched the documentary on him and got to say, he doesn’t come across great. Maybe it’s the editing or something but unfortunately it’s really tainted my opinion of him.
Anyone else seen the documentary? Am I being too harsh?

I thought he was tremendously amusing. I did like the bit where he said he didn't want Coe to win his race! Nice that he and HIngtsen are great mates now. They never showed that tee shirt where Daley suggested that he was Germany's favourite son!

 

[bluenova]

Was mint on the commodore 64

I think he had shares in a joystick repair company.

 

[doots]

I think he had shares in a joystick repair company.

He was definitely on the spectrum

 

[manimanc]

Was mint on the commodore 64

Ha ha I had that game.
The 1500m was a nightmare with the joystick.

 

[chesterbells]

Absolutely hero worshipped Daley many years ago. What an athlete, unbelievable desire to win and also the leading light in track and field late 70’s, early 80’s for team GB.
However, just watched the documentary on him and got to say, he doesn’t come across great. Maybe it’s the editing or something but unfortunately it’s really tainted my opinion of him.
Anyone else seen the documentary? Am I being too harsh?

He was my hero too.
Whilst I can genuinely see why you might feel like that having watching it, it didn’t taint my view of him.

What I would say is, I no longer have any public figures that I’d really refer to as heroes any more. They are human and they are as flawed as the rest of us (in my experience of those I’ve met or got to know more about of the years), so it’s probably more a reflection on us pal.

But he is still my favourite athlete of that/any era, regardless of any faults.

TL;DR
Yes, I think you’re being a tad harsh!