Seductive oases of well-being

It is clear that everyone has to decide for themselves whether they are a Christmas person or not. First of all, I agree with all criticism regarding the timing of the Christmas orientation being far too early. November doesn't work at all. Actually, sometime at the beginning of December would be the right time to push past gingerbread, marzipan cakes and panettone in the shops accompanied by emotional songs. Of course, with a lot of discipline, even if for some unknown reason the shopping cart still fills up quickly as if by magic. And there is always, really always, more in it than we need.

But that is the great art of seduction, which is approaching its climax at this time. And whether you like it or not: Planning Christmas dinner suddenly and unexpectedly takes up more space in the family council than actually planned. Goose or duck, soup with sausage, raclette or fondue? And what do we do with the additional free time, if we actually still have it despite all the so-called Christmas stress? We do sport, at least a little, even if we probably won't be able to go for a stylish walk in the snow right in front of the house or apartment. There has to be a few meters, especially since passively watching sports is also not possible.

Luckily, because the sports activities actually rest more or less during the contemplative Christian time, which I find extremely pleasant. Not because it gives me more time to wrap the gifts using my own system. Rather, it is also a sign that we still feel somewhat connected to the Christmas message. Peace above all would be nice, even if that will probably remain an unfulfilled wish in these troubled times. At least the football stadiums are deserted over the holidays and are not again the scene of orgies of violence from fans who don't come because of football or to support their clubs, but are only interested in rioting.

Incomprehensible IOC decision Are the pictures from Ukraine still not enough, which is still being constantly bombed by Russia? Destruction as far as the eye can see. Unspeakable suffering befalls the civilian population. Grenades instead of Christmas balls. And the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which always likes to talk about its peacemaking mission, wants to allow Russian athletes to take part in the Olympic Games in Paris next year. Under conditions that, of course, can never be fully verified down to the last consequence.

At least there are still sensible association presidents like the British Lord Sebastian Coe from “World Athletics”, who has categorically ruled out Russian and Belarusian athletes starting in France for his track and field athletes. You should include Coe in your Christmas prayers, because it is also very courageous of him, because his chances of possibly succeeding current President Thomas Bach will be massively reduced, especially since the Olympic fencing champion feels strong support in the IOC.

Thomas Bach wants to allow Russian athletes to take part in the Olympics. © AFP / FABRICE COFFRINI

Many even want him to stand for another term of office, contrary to the Olympic Charter. Bach is certain to support the factions that are influenced by Russia, whether through financial resources or through offices. And the mortars never sound sweeter. When putting up the Christmas tree or distributing presents, we should also think about those who are deprived of their Christmas by unscrupulous dictators. Who just want to survive and even that is made difficult for them every day. And the fact that sport, with its quasi-supreme institution, the IOC, does not take a consistent stand against it is heavier than the fat goose that takes me back to my childhood.

Memories of childhood My mother always got up early in the morning and devoted herself to the Christmas roast, which was later unfortunately replaced by a fondue because we also wanted to be modern. I still have the taste of the fatty sauce and the potato dumplings in my mouth. Help, please. And I also fondly remember the winters back then. Cold, snow and actually frozen village ponds. Almost really cheesy. I had received used sturdy shoes and two iron runners that could be screwed onto these shoes. Of course, I wasn't necessarily up to date with this and looked a little jealous of the friends who had "real" skates. Doesn't matter. I managed a few turns. This didn't dampen the joy. I learned back then that you don't always have to focus on top performance in sport, even if that was what I intended later as an artistic gymnast.

At least I was allowed to carry the Olympic flame on the way to the 1972 games in Munich, which started out as fun games before the Palestinian terrorist organization “Black September” attacked the Israeli team on September 5th. At the end of the terrorist attack, all nine Israeli hostages, a police officer and five of the eight attackers died. That was 51 years ago and in view of the images that are reaching us every day from the Gaza Strip after the murderous attack by Hamas against Israel, we realize that nothing has been learned in this part of the world since then. And so this time too it will be a Christmas that, like every year, takes us for the blink of an eye into a supposedly cozy atmosphere and, on the other hand, also makes it clear to us once again that, despite a variety of problems, we are still on the sunny side of life. There is hardly a greater gift. On that note: Merry Christmas.

To the author. Sigi Heinrich The multi-award-winning sports journalist (including the German Television Prize and the Bavarian Sports Prize), book author and Eurosport commentator from the very beginning (since 1989) dedicates his column “Sigi's Peaks” to the entire diversity of sport and also enjoys poaching in other people's areas. Sometimes with a smile and a wink, sometimes serious and thoughtful or deliberately provocative. There should be something for everyone.

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Seductive oases of well-being

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