S O
T Y
athlete is to be a world-class
optimist. It’s practically a job
requirement. The lottery-
length odds against making
it to the top level, the brutal
competition once you’re
there, the inevitability of
injuries and bad bounces
and cold streaks—staying
positive requires a messianic
belief that with enough effort
and dedication, somehow
things will work out fine.
EYES ON
THE PRIZE
Our Sportspersons
set admirable
examples inside
and outside the
lines. From left:
James, Osaka,
Mahomes, Stewart,
Duvernay-Tardif.BY STEPHEN CANNELLA