I am currently holidaying in Sweden where much of the news is on a disgruntled Wrestler, a failed Hurdler, and a short High Jumper.
Yes, I know it is a bit of an oxymoron, being short and a High Jumper, but that is just what he is.
I can not think of a single benefit of being short in the High Jump - unlike other sports that undoubatly favour taller people such as Volley Ball or Basket Ball. Despite his vertically challenged build Stefan Holm has managed to not only compete at an international level in the High Jump for many years, but even win Olympic Gold and World (Indoor) Championships.
Now some would argue that 1.81m (6 foot) is not that ’short’, and I would otherwise agree with these people. However when it comes to the world of International High Jumping 1.81m is an absolute dwarf. I am sure the other competitors joke about him behind his back - like ‘here comes Stefan, where is Snow White and his 6 mates’ etc.
Holm is unlucky Track and Field have maintained some form of credibility (walking events excluded) and have resisted the urge to introduce other variations to their sport - such as track events like backwards running, hopping, running with your hands tied behind your back, and ‘3min Roly Poly Freestyle’ (where competitors do forwards and backwards Roly Polys - to music- and are judged on their form by 7 people). Nor has Track and Field introduced weight divisions to Field Events where obvious advantages exist to bigger people - such as the Shot Put, Hammer Throw, and Discus… Nor height divisions to the High Jump. For if they had Stefan Holm would be a legend - perhaps considered one of the greatest athletes ever. He would have dominated this event for many more years than he has.
