Being a Good Sport
This is Alex's mom for a change, and I wanted to touch on a subject that I think all parents and athletes need to be cognizant of. Sportsmanship. Alex has faced a lot of issues this year already with co-racers and racers in other age groups who do not display good sportsmanship. He is a 5-year old CHILD but there is no time like the present to start learning about how the world really works. As parents, his dad and I put the utmost value on sportsmanship, including being a good sport even when it means you might not win because you behave in a more sportsmanlike manner than your competitor. I was interested in Alex becoming involved in BMX as it is not what I would consider a typical upper-middle class sport with the 'soccer-parent' mentality. (Apologies as I know there are plenty of good soccer parents out there.) Unfortunately this year our local state BMX races have been poisoned by dirty moves and rude comments including foul language being directed at children by their own parents and children who boast that they were offered financial rewards by their parents for beating a certain competitor. Alex has been laughed at by another child for not making his mains in difficult races- even considering he always races above his age group out of necessity. We will stand strong on this issue. Alex knows all about being a good sport, in fact he is a natural at it. You will not find another athlete at his races who more spontaneously hollers out praise and encouragement for fellow riders, whether they are his age or whether they're 40 years older. We are very proud of all of his accomplishments- but we place far more importance on having a good time, enjoying the experience, and being an excellent role-model than simply winning every race. We are very proud after he finishes a race where he doesn't finish first in his moto or main when we hear him say, 'I almost had that guy- I almost caught up to him!' Mr. Positive Thinking. Alex is going to go far in this life and we hope BMX will long be a part of it.