This is the Statt Mann, Baby. It's time to Scatt a little bit!

Dictionary.com says an athlete is “a person trained or gifted in exercises or contests involving physical agility, stamina, or strength; a participant in a sport, exercise, or game requiring physical skill.”

I was listening this weekend to the weather reports in the Midwest and East where races were held subjecting drivers to condictions that included ambient temperatures well above 100 degrees and track temperatures approaching 150 degrees.  I heard one report that said the transmission tunnel in one sports car was above 200 degrees.

Staggering conditions in which to work and stay alert while participating in a sport requiring physical skill.

The tedium of discussing whether or not a top driver is an athlete is a waste of time to me. If you don't get it,  you don't want to. No discussion is going to change your mind.

Try this, though, if they wonder what it's like. Sit on the floor with your legs and arms outstretched in front of you.  Put maybe fifteen pound weights in your hands for good measure. Now sit like that for anywhere from an hour to two yours maintaining alertness, awareness and competitive drive.

Don't take a time out or halftime or a break while the defensive or offensive teams take over the contest.  Don't even worry about weather conditions. Keep the room air conditioned and comfortable.

In the midst of all that, try to win.

Peace.