HOPE Foundation Newsletter November 2012

Posted by on 3 November 2012

The Olympic Games occupied the attention of most of us in July. Even for those of us who don't subscribe to Sky TV, the free to air coverage on Prime TV was excellent.

We have been able to share the triumphs and the disasters, the good shows and the no shows in a more intimate and immediate way than I can ever recall.

The Gems is, without a doubt, a young person's event. But it has been interesting to watch the numerous flash backs to outstanding performances of earlier days: Lovelock, Snell, Walker, Halberg, Todd, Kendall and others whose training methods have informed modern training programmes and whose performances have been an inspiration to today's youngsters. it was also encouraging to note the involvement of older ex-athelets at various levels in the administration of the Games, from Jacques Rogge, (70), IOC President, down competed in three Olympiads winning the world championship (Finn class) twice and was amember of the Belgian national rugby team.

I've been re-reading the late Prof E.M. Blaiklock's inspirational little book on ageing: Between the Sunset and the Stars. I guess he would have been about 79 when he penned it in 1982. One of the points he insists on is the importance of staying engaged, taking up new challenges, if we are to avoid the boredom and loneliness that afflict too many older people. He was well before his time in so advocating. But Alfred, Lord Tennyson (late 19th C) was even ahead of him, when he has Ulysses in his poem of the same name, musing in his old age:

Tho' much is taken, much abides; and tho' /we have no now the strength which in old days / moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are; / one equal temper of heroic hearts / made weak by time and fate, but strong will; / to strive, to seek, to find and not to yield.

Modern research fully bears out the wisdom of this advice and adds that remaining active physically and mentally is an antidote to brain ageing and dementia. This is but one way in which research can provide us with directions for living. I hope that this resonates with you!

Thank you for your continuing support of the Foundation

David E. Richmond