Name the professional athletes you respect the most and why.
To all intents and purposes the then plain Mary Peters was a true amateur athlete who worked at her day job while training to take on the World in what was then a very troubled Northern Ireland
Nowadays her amazing achievements,the pinnacle of which,was a Gold Medal in the Women’s Pentathlon at the Munich Olympics in 1972 could only be achieved by a professional full-time athlete.
Perhaps ,Mary herself knew this ,as in her adopted home of Northern Ireland she started a foundation that promotes sports talent by funding future stars,Rory McIlroy being one of the foundations alumni.
Nevertheless,as an amateur she was professional in her approach and as I remember a shining example to everyone of how to behave as a Sports Personality.
Surely the true meaning of a professional is bringing success to others and through her endeavours and no doubt in very difficult circumstances in Northern Ireland she has persisted in being a beacon of light and inspiration to everyone in whatever their field.
thenotsomightyom 