On the Spirit of Competition...

Sports Tips and Trivia

It is arguably the oldest of all instincts. An aspiration that has pushed us to create, advance, and stand out as a civilization. It is the greatest of all catalysts and one of the strongest of passions. And when undertaken by honorable men and women, it becomes the most cherished of human triumphs. And like the Army National Guard, competition is a constant that will forever help those who are only satisfied by reaching, and surpassing, their goals.

TRIVIA: Prior to February 16, 1984, no American had ever won a medal in an Olympic downhill skiing event. Despite this, Bill Johnson had made the spirited comment, "I'm going to win the gold, and they might as well give it to me right now." Not to be made a liar, Johnson hit the snow at breakneck speeds, making impressive turns while barely slowing. Bill indeed kept his word, finishing two miles in an untouchable 1:45:49.

TIP: Are you a skiing pro? If so, ignore this tip. But, if you are a novice skier, possibly looking to improve your skills, then here's a cool little tip: Physical therapists, sports doctors and orthopedic surgeons who cope with the injured and regretful upstarts say training and preparation should begin weeks before the first flake falls. Consider the alternative - a split-second fall due to weary, untrained muscles can cause injuries that take six months to heal.

TRIVIA: On February 18, 1932, Sonja Henie won her sixth straight World Women's Figure Skating Championship in Montreal, Canada. She then retired to Hollywood to become an actress.

TIP: For pro cyclists, taking a break from the usual routine for an off-season program will help you maintain a good foundation for those early spring rides and help to avoid burn-out when it's time to resume those rugged, regular season sessions. A balanced off-season program should contain resistance training, indoor stationary trainers, and a cross-training aerobic sport such as swimming or cross-country skiing.

TRIVIA: William Knox rolled the first perfect 300 game in tournament competition at the American Bowling Congress tournament held on March 10, 1913 in Toledo, Ohio and won that competition.

TRIVIA: Did you know that bowling balls were invented in 1862, and must be made out of a nonmetallic substance and cannot weigh more than 16 pounds?

TRIVIA: The America's Cup, the oldest trophy in international sports and the most coveted prize in yachting, was all but destroyed on March 13, 1997 by a protester who struck it repeatedly with a sledgehammer.

TRIVIA: The Olympic Games were the most important of all in Greece. Every four years between August 6 and September 19, they occupied such an important place in Greek life that time was measured by the interval between them - an Olympiad. The Games, like all Greek games, were an intrinsic part of a religious festival. They were held in honor of Zeus at Olympia in the city-state of Elis, on a track about 32 meters (35 yards) wide.

TRIVIA: Did you know that the first recorded Olympic champion was Coroebus of Elis, a cook, who won the sprint race in 776 BC?

TRIVIA: Track and field competitions (athletics) are the oldest form of organized sport. Athletics are truly international and nearly every country in the world engages in some form of competition.

TIP: Athletes are well known for fast foot speed. Well-honed foot speed can, in fact improve performance in many sports and competition. One of the most effective, yet overlooked methods of improving this aspect of performance is jumping rope. By adjusting positions, speeds, and even drawing boxes on the ground for a rotating reference, athletes can make incredible improvements to their achievements.

TRIVIA: On April 3, 1968 cameras off the coast of Hawaii captured images of a surfer riding a 60+-foot tidal wave, the largest ever surfed on record. The mysterious surfer was never identified.

TRIVIA: On April 14, 1936, the first Maryland horse race results ever decided by a photo-finish camera took place at Havre de Grace in the second race, in which a 7-1 shot, Alit was declared the winner.

TIP: Open water swimming is to pool swimming what trail running is to track running. It is a chance to get out and simply enjoy the surroundings. It is easier to stretch strokes and get into a rhythm that can't be achieved when there are walls every 25 or 50 meters. Certain safety procedures must be followed when swimming in open water.

TRIVIA: The Westminster Kennel Club was organized on May 12, 1875. It took its name from the hotel in which the meeting was held, and was a favorite for gentlemen dog fanciers.

TIP: Any skeet shooter can tell you that routine vision care is every bit as important for athletes as routine medical care. Doctors agree, "All athletes want to make sure their eyes are healthy," says Dr. Daniel Dauphin, an ophthalmologist and former National Guard member. "Routine eye exams help maximize your competitive potential."

TRIVIA: Did you know that skeet was derived from trapshooting, but includes additional traps and angles of flight?

TRIVIA: On June 12, 1948, Eddie Arcaro became the first jockey to win the Triple Crown Twice at the 80th Belmont Stakes aboard his famous mount, Citation.

TRIVIA: On June 28, 1992, Connie Price-Smith became the first woman in 32 years to win both the women's discus and shot put events at the U.S. Olympics trials. Earlene Brown accomplished the same feat in 1960.

TIP: Have you jumped out of a plane lately? You may never get a chance to go parachuting, but if you do, the pros suggest really working on your leg muscles. "When you land, you land hard," said one Leapfest champ. "So having well-toned and conditioned legs is a real advantage." Squats, lifts, and leg presses are highly effective and rapid ways to achieve the perfect leg muscles for falling from the sky.

TRIVIA: Every summer the National Guard's one-of-a-kind Military Parachuting competition, Leapfest has people leaping from the air. With hair-raising jumps and pinpoint drops Leapfest hosted by the Rhode Island National Guard is undoubtedly an international competition for the new millennium.

TRIVIA: Shannon Miller became America's most decorated female Olympian on July 29, 1996. Her spectacular performance on the balance beam was her first individual gold medal.

TIP: Many pros practice less orthodox ways of improving their performance at ball games. In addition to the regular workouts and training, one of the most popular, and best-kept secrets of professional players is to practice karate. People agree that martial arts help players learn discipline, flexibility, quickness, reaction, and balance.

TRIVIA: Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford were the first teammates ever elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on the same day, August 12, 1974.

TRIVIA: Did you know that the youngest major leaguer to appear in a regular season game is Joe Nuxhall? His appearance in 1944 lasted 2/3 of an inning and his season ended with an ERA of 67.50. He was 15 years old.

TIP: Did you know that video games are part of the training regimen of most marksmen? Like many athletes they rely on excellent hand/eye coordination, and to improve these skills they play video games. "Computer games actually do enhance your hand/eye coordination in a controlled and relaxing environment," says Michael Spears, an Olympian. "Racing or flight simulator games force you to practice making split second adjustments and enhance concentration."

TRIVIA: On September 8, 1974 daredevil, Evil Knievel fell to the bottom of Colorado's Snake River Canyon on his Sky-Cycle after a tail chute opened prematurely. Knievel suffered minor injuries during the fall.

TIP: Walking and running are considered the perfect aerobic training tools. These activities are relatively low impact, easy to do, and incredibly healthy. Whether you take a brisk walk or push off for a full-out sprint the benefits pay off.

TRIVIA: The Sheffield Football Club of England formed on October 24, 1857 is recognized as the oldest soccer club.

TRIVIA: The American Chess Association was organized at the first American Chess Congress in New York City on October 6, 1857.

TRIVIA: Did you know that golf was banned in Scotland in 1457 because too many people were spending their time golfing, and not enough time honing archery skills, thereby weakening the national defense?

TIP: Although the single secret to the perfect golf game may be eternally elusive, many pros recommend perfecting the three Cs: CONFIDENCE, COMFORT, AND CONSISTENCY. Confidence: Know and trust your club, your swing, and the course. Comfort: Dress, walk, and swing comfortably with no distractions or annoyances. Consistency: Practice and perfect the first two Cs until a routine is formed.

TRIVIA: On December 14, 1915 Jack Johnson became the first African-American world heavyweight boxing champion. Airmen First Class Joey S. Gilbert of the Nevada Air National Guard took motivation, dedication, and discipline into the ring with him on June 16, 2000 in his professional boxing debut, and in less than two minutes 47 seconds won his first professional bout with a knock out.

TRIVIA: On January 3, 1993 during a conference wild card game against the Houston Oilers, the Buffalo Bills were losing 35 to 3 in the third quarter. In what is known as the most impressive comeback in National Football League history, the Bills pulled out an astounding 41-38 fourth quarter victory.

Source: The 2001-2002 Army National Guard Activity Planner. 1-800-GO-GUARD.