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Rower Oliver Zeidler at the 2024 Olympics: Success with a mental trainer?

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If the German Rowing Association (DRV) had to formulate a formula for success at the Olympic Games in Paris, Oliver Zeidler would provide all the necessary factors. The calculation begins with the rowing tradition in the 27-year-old’s family: grandfather Hans-Johann Färber won Olympic gold in the coxed four in 1972, uncle Matthias Ungemach became world champion in the eight in 1990 and in the coxed four in 1991, while aunt Judith Zeidler was crowned Olympic champion in the GDR eight in 1988. Then you add constants such as Oliver Zeidler’s exceptional physique (2.03 meters tall and 105 kilograms heavy), his iron work ethic, his own excellent CV in the single (three World Championship and European Championship golds each) and the result is: a guaranteed medal for the Summer Games – or is it?

As attractive and certain as the formulas for success may seem on paper, there are many unknowns in practice. Zeidler has yet to crown his career with an Olympic medal. His status as the long-standing leader in the single sculls is undisputed. However, that was already the case at the Summer Games in Tokyo, where he was considered the clear favorite to win and then surprisingly failed in the semifinals, finishing fourth. “I am very disappointed, especially after the season has been so successful so far. The defeat is really bothering me,” said Zeidler at the time after his early exit.

His coach, father Heino Zeidler, who used to be a competitive rower himself, also spoke of a heavy blow for his son and protégé: “For him, a dream is shattered, so the disappointment is of course very great.” But that’s not all: The next bitter disappointment followed in 2022, when Zeidler missed the podium with fourth place at the European Championships in Munich in front of the home crowd, spoiled by success.

Something in the formula that brought Zeidler to the top must have slipped, something had to change. It was not just about the physical aspect: Zeidler says he devotes everything to sport for 47 weeks of the year. There is hardly a complete standstill for this exceptional athlete. When regular training is over, the “active recovery unit with running, swimming, cycling” begins.

His technique and endurance are so convincing that Sabine Tschäge is also enthusiastic: “Oli is the exceptional talent that everyone wants to have as a coach,” says the national coach of the German eight to the FAZ. “If you were to define a rowing athlete, you would say: Yes, it’s Oli!” But what Zeidler has been working on in recent years with the help of psychologist Annelen Collatz, especially with a view to Paris, is above all mental strength.

Emerging stronger

In the mental trainer’s podcast “Finde den Kern”, Zeidler says that it was easier for him to reach the top of the world than to constantly defend it. “Then you’re suddenly the hunted one,” he says. “And then the fall is a little higher than if you just keep climbing up the stairs, and people from the outside are just amazed and say: Yes, wow, he’s simply unstoppable.”

Under Collatz’s guidance, Zeidler learned to deal with the pressure better and to put the negative experiences of the past into a more positive context. Zeidler is now even grateful for the lessons he learned from Tokyo and is aware that he ultimately emerged stronger for the races that followed. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

“We had come up with different methods about what I should think about at the start, for example, when I was very nervous and when I was afraid of not making the right start,” says Zeidler in his mentor’s podcast. “I have to say that it really helped me. Even if you feel a bit stupid at first when you’re sitting at the front of the start line and saying: ‘I’m in love, I’m in love, I’m in love’, it worked.”

The equation worked. Zeidler was back at the top: in 2022 in the Czech Republic and a year later in Serbia, he won the World Championships, and he also won gold at the European Championships in Hungary this year. Only at the Rowing World Cup in Lucerne did he suffer an unusual setback with second place and his first defeat in a year. This does not diminish his confidence in success in Paris. Zeidler’s declared goal is still an Olympic medal.

However, he says he has hardly felt any stress or pressure so far. The only thing that still raises some concerns is the question of whether the transport links in the Olympic Village will work smoothly during the games. As far as the competitions are concerned, he is not worried – at least until he reaches the semi-finals. Then things will get serious for him. “I have also drawn my conclusions from Tokyo about what I definitely want to do better,” says Zeidler. “That also means isolating yourself a bit more. That also means significantly reducing social media.”

Maintaining a routine in the Olympic Village is particularly important. Getting up early, even if there are no races scheduled, eating at the same times, not getting distracted by the glitz and hustle and bustle surrounding the games. Overall, the successful rower sees himself as a more mature and better athlete than he was at the last Summer Games in Tokyo.

The Oliver Zeidler formula has now been optimized to version 2.0 – at least in theory. Whether this will lead to great success in practice will be put to the test in the coming days.

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SAD|| 10 Players Who Lost Everything After Divorce, Number 5 Will Shôck You

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The Hidden Financial Struggles of Footballers: Divorce’s Costly Toll

The glamorous image of professional footballers, with their luxurious lifestyles and multimillion-dollar contracts, often obscures a harsh reality: the financial devastation many endure through divorce. Behind the fame and fortune, several high-profile players have seen their wealth significantly depleted after parting ways with their spouses, a stark reminder that no amount of money can fully shield one of the financial pitfalls of personal relationships gone awry…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

One of the most shocking examples is that of former Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboué, who lost not only his properties in England but also custody of his children following a bitter divorce. Despite earning millions during his career, Eboué found himself stripped of almost everything. His situation became a cautionary tale, underscoring that even the wealthiest footballers can fall victim to the financial ruin that divorce can bring.

Eboué is not alone. Football legends such as Thierry Henry and Ryan Giggs have also experienced significant financial losses due to divorce. Henry reportedly paid £10 million to his ex-wife, while Giggs parted with an astonishing £40 million after his marriage ended. Louis Saha and Wes Brown, both former Manchester United players, also suffered substantial financial hits, with Brown declaring bankruptcy despite earning £50,000 per week during his time at the club. His case highlights how even vast earnings can quickly evaporate when faced with legal settlements and financial mismanagement.

David James, the former England goalkeeper, faced a particularly dire situation, losing much of his fortune after divorce and being forced to auction his personal belongings to make ends meet. Similarly, Ray Parlour, another Arsenal great, saw his ex-wife receive half of his £10 million fortune, including a £2.5 million house. Jamie Redknapp, a former Liverpool star, also faced a hefty settlement, parting with half of his estimated £15 million fortune after his marriage ended.

These are just a few of the many footballers who have faced financial disaster due to divorce. Keith Gillespie, once a key figure in the Premier League, lost over £7 million, leading to his bankruptcy in 2010. Despite earning significant wages during his career, his divorce and poor financial decisions left him in financial ruin. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Perhaps the most shocking case is that of Tendai Ndoro, a Zimbabwean striker who lost everything after registering all his properties in his wife’s name. Following their breakup, she kicked him out of the house, leaving him with nothing. Ndoro’s story serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of not protecting one’s assets, even in relationships where trust is implicit.

For footballers, whose careers often peak early, these financial setbacks can be devastating. While their salaries are among the highest in professional sports, the combination of short career spans, legal fees, and divorce settlements can quickly erode their fortunes. Many players also face additional challenges in managing their finances due to a lack of financial education or oversight during their playing years.

These stories underscore the importance of safeguarding personal wealth, especially for high-earning individuals like footballers, who may be more vulnerable to financial upheaval. Proper financial planning, asset protection strategies, and prenups are increasingly necessary tools for protecting one’s earnings and securing a stable future.

In conclusion, while the public sees footballers as insulated by their wealth, the reality is that they are just as susceptible to the financial hardships of divorce as anyone else. The personal struggles behind the scenes reveal that their lives, though glamorous on the surface, are often fraught with the same vulnerabilities and challenges faced by ordinary individuals. These cases serve as sobering reminders that financial security is never guaranteed, even for those at the pinnacle of success.

 

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NFL | The best was yet to come, and then no

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In February 2022, the Bengals missed the Super Bowl by three small points, but regardless, the future seemed bright in Cincinnati.


Posted at 1:13 a.m.

Updated at 7:00 a.m.

In any case, that’s what we, the most seasoned experts in American football, believed, capable of seeing the future each season, often in a very impressive way; for example, this column has been predicting since 1970 that the New York Jets are not going to win the Super Bowl, and that’s still exactly what happens.

The Bengals have never won anything, but their presence on the big stage two years ago suggested that, a bit like the Nordiques in 1990, the best was yet to come.

Well, no.

As of this hour, the Bengals are a dismal 1-4, and even then, their only win came against the Carolina Panthers, who are about as bad as they are.

The good news for the Bengals is that this “landing” is fairly easily explained: their defense is pretty awful. The less good news is that it is probably already too late to try to solve this problem.

In five games, the Bengals have allowed a total of 145 points, which gives a pretty staggering average of 29 points per game. No one else in the American Association looks this bad, and in the league as a whole, only the Carolina Panthers are even worse in this regard.

Meanwhile, the Bengals are wasting the best years of Joe Burrow, who turns 28 in December. He wouldn’t be the first quality quarterback to waste his talent in this uniform.

Is it necessary here to remember that in American football, as in life in general, there is never anything certain? This reality reminds us of this sublime quote from Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who once wrote that “supreme happiness is a hundred times sweeter to hope for than to obtain”.

Rousseau must have been a Bengals fan, obviously.

You are probably aware that the New York Jets fired their coachbut that’s not the worst. The worst part is that poor Robert Saleh would have been escorted to the door like a pauper by security agents.

PHOTO MIKE STOBE, ARCHIVES AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh

It’s undoubtedly one of the worst moments in the history of a club that collects the worst moments, from Mark Sanchez dropping a ball on his lineman’s pussy, to a visibly hot Joe Namath trying to to kiss a reporter live on TV (we’re going to move on to the naughty photo of Brett Favre because there are children here).

We can never repeat it enough: in football, as in life, everything starts from the top. The leaders of the Jets, who display a level of competence similar to that of the inventors of Pepsi Crystal, thus opted for the easy way, instead of realizing that their ground game is non-existent, and that their quarterback who hears voices in his head is finished.

In addition, barely installed, new coach Jeff Ulbrich decided to give control of the attack to assistant Todd Downing, who will call the plays from now on. This is not a detail because this task previously fell to offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, close and confidant of Aaron Rodgers.

It’s obvious that this is going to end very badly. As per usual.

Someone whispers in my ear that the inbox is overflowing again, so let’s get to it right away.

First, Luc Girouard from Sept-Îles sends us this timely little comment: “Would Prince Rodgers have plotted to kick Robert Saleh out in order to take his place? »

We all see what you did, Luc.

Then, there is a certain Nicolas B. from Laval who sent this: “Hi Richard. Great weekly column on football. Really entertaining. In addition, you allow my teenagers to read about football in French, which is still a challenge […] If you ever make a reference to my comment, my sports travel gang is buying me a beer on our next trip. »

You will demand a micro beer, Nicolas. Finally, there is Marco Campanozzi who can no longer hear about “mixing” and the right chair: “I can’t do it anymore!!! »

We are Marco.

It will be another great opportunity to lock yourself in front of the TV while pretending to do something constructive, because Sunday’s menu is particularly spicy.

Thus, Commanders in a state of grace will go to Baltimore to prove that they are serious, the Chargers will go to Denver in the hope of recovering after two defeats in a row, and the Cowboys will host the Lions, in a match that they can’t really let slip away, just to build something following the little miracle last Sunday night in Pittsburgh.

Don’t forget to check out the colors during halftime.

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A young badminton player realizes his deceased father’s dream

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Only 13 years old, badminton-player-honors-fathers-dream-at-nationals/” title=”13-year-old Saskatchewan badminton player honors father’s dream at nationals”>Gautham Sumesh is preparing to realize the dream of his father, who died six months ago: he will soon participate in the National Badminton Championship.

My father was really addicted to badmintonrecalls the Saskatchewan teenager. He really liked that I played.

Gautham Sumesh has been playing badminton since he was old enough to handle a racket. The first time he managed to beat his father, Sumesh Pulavathil, he was offered a drink to celebrate the event.

Sadly, Sumesh Pulavathil died in a road accident near Estevan last October.

Despite the tragedy, the teenager continues to carry his family’s dreams: Gautham Sumesh won the provincial championships this year and is preparing to participate in the National Championship in New Brunswick.

He would be really happyhe believes.

Dreaming of badminton

The young player’s parents left India in 2022 in the hope that their son would become a top badminton player.

: Gautham badminton”,”text”:”When we moved to Canada, we only had one thing in mind: Gautham badminton”}}”>When we moved to Canada, we only had one thing in mind: Gautham badmintonexplains the latter’s mother, Gayathri Ramdas. It is the foundation of our family life.

Her husband put everything in place to help his son play. He bought him shoes and racquets, in addition to devoting many hours to coaching him and other children.

Sumesh Pulavathil (front) was an avid badminton player. (Archive photo)

Photo: Provided by Gayathri Ramdas

Although the family was devastated by Sumesh Pulavathil’s death, there was never any question of the teenager quitting badminton. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Since the death of his father, Gautham Sumesh has undergone intensive training, particularly in preparation for the provincial competition which took place in April.

He remembers that no one knew him when he started competing provincially, but that changed after his victory at the provincial championship.

: “Hey, good job!” Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with me”,”text”:”After I won, everyone said to me: “Hey, good job! “Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with me”}}”>After I won, everyone said to me: “Hey, good job!” Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with meexplained Gautham Sumesh.

A portrait of Sumesh Pulavathil (far left) and his family.

Photo: Provided by Gayathri Ramdas

Despite his son’s success in the championship, Gayathri Ramdas believes the victory was bittersweet due to his father’s absence.

Despite everything, she watched her son grow up and demonstrate the values ​​of sportsmanship and good play that she and her husband wanted to instill in him, as he harbored ambitions of becoming a professional badminton player.

I’m little by little catching up on all the dreams we had.

With information from Janani Whitfield

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