I feel really sad for USA's Matthew Emmons right now, but i think its only the smallest fraction of the immense grief he should be feeling. I think i can understand, a little better than others, his sorrow because i myself was involved, for 6 years, in a sport where the smallest mistakes can lead to the biggest regrets. But I think this man has been subjected to the cruelest twists of fates, and honestly, he is a brave man to face these insane setbacks in his life.
(Emmons competes in the 50m 3P event). At Athens 2004, Emmons needed a 8.0 on his last shot to take the gold, an extremely easy feat he could pull off with his eyes closed (not literally speaking). However he fired at the wrong target for 0 points, handing the gold to China and falling to 8th place. Imagine his devastation, certainly it must have been beyond imagination.
At least he got to know Katrina Kurkova from Czech Republic. After his loss, she "plucked up the courage to talk to this world champion" and they got married in 2007. Katrina is as sweet as she looks. Sorry that was an editorial comment. "I think you're the best shooter in the world," she told him. It must have been a heartwarming moment for him, as it would be for any athelte who has these kind words said to him after such a mistake.
Honestly i think they look like a wonderful couple and i think Katrina has a really pretty face and i was happy for her when she took the gold in the 10m Air Rifle Womens event. The photo of her kissing her husband was particularly moving, for me.
So this year Emmons repeats the horror at Athens. After a Silver in the 50m prone event, he was in the finals for the 50m 3P, this time he needed 6.7 to win gold. However, he misfired before he took aim, an incredibly amateurish mistake cost him the gold. Once again, China was handed the gold on a silver.
On the other hand, there was Katrina at Athens as the 'blessing in disguise', and i dont know what form such a blessing will assume this year at beijing. "Things happen for a reason," he said at Athens, before going on to mention that "Katie was that reason". I really hope something good comes out of this. It is unfortunate, but i realise that bad things happen to good people,and i hope Emmons pull through.
"The gods are playing a trick on him" - Kwok Li Hao
