Chapter 1: Abu Dhabi
Chapter 2: Yokohama
Chapter 3: Cagliari
Chapter 4: Montreal
It is a law of space and time that light
seen from the stars that dance across the night
can sometimes be nothing more than the last
traces of dead celestials. How fast
does their light fade compared with how brightly
they once shone. The same is true of man. He
who was a star for a time will always
fade, leaving only faint hints for the gaze
of those still to follow. The question to
ask is when can one tell that their milieu
has passed. Racing upon Montreal’s slick
streets, several men lie in wait to pick
their moment, their chance, to prove that their light
still shines, that their place is still in the fight,
that their glow is not the lingering touch
of times gone by. Kristian is one such
man. The Olympic champion, he burns
to prove himself. However the wheel turns
and he now lags behind. Today, his core
rivals for the crown are absent but more
await. Young Hauser dominates the swim
whereas Kristian’s is a synonym
for what has been. Good, yet still not enough.
Others also find themselves in the tough
space that Kristian inhabits. Brownlee,
too, owns Olympic medals although he
faces the battle with age that awaits
us all. In Montreal he illustrates
his strength upon two wheels and takes his place
at the head of the field. Of course the race
has turns to come and Kristian surges
to reclaim his top spot. When he urges
his legs to give more, though, no answer comes.
On the run, as Brownlee falters, he drums
a steady beat to match Hauser but when
his young rival lifts his tempo again
he fades. A new star is born as Hauser
thunders to gold. Unable to rouse a
response, Kristian is left to ponder
what could have been. Did he really squander
his chance or was he simply beaten by
a stronger force? His loss may signify
plenty, but it is too soon to declare
his star extinct. Even today, compare
Kristian with what he once was. Speed has
never really been his forte whereas
in the long battle he excels. Chances
remain for Norway’s man to enhance his
claim for the crown and he will stoke the flames
within to pursue the Olympic Games
gold he so craves. Yet this campaign is dead
and the Olympic horizon ahead
contains a litany of new stars like
Hauser. Perhaps Kristian can still strike
back and his light emanates from a star
still alive. For now, though, the former tsar
must grimace in silence at the new truth.
The light of others shines brighter as youth
takes its place at centre stage and new stars
make Kristian’s hopes as distant as Mars.
—
(The full race report is available here.)
