NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF THE SPORT
by Jim Emerton
My comments are subjective and may or may not be shared by others. Rampant commercialism is detracting from the sporting essence of pigeon racing, and every conceivable device is used to accumulate money - I say this with some sales experience myself. Some aspects of the hobby are a little too high powered and aggressively competitive inducing resentment, negative criticism and jealousy. The competitive nature is highly personalised, and I would like to see a return to the honour and desire to conquer the longest race points in a conceptual, idealistic and romantic way. The pursuit of multiple sprint and middle distance wins is not necessarily conducive to finding individual birds of sustained long distance, speed/endurance capabilities. The archetype of the good natured character with generous sporting motives is being eroded - he has been the standard bearer in the evolution of the sport. There is the race to win ethos, and the irony is that the Barcelona International has yet to be won in the UK and for many and obvious reasons! In a small way my little network of like minded marathonists aim to exchange quality bred birds in the spirit of mutual sporting objectives. I think a little introspection is timely in today’s hot competition.
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Elimar - September 2014
