Role Models in Athletes

Role Models in Athletes

1. I agree with the quote from Mickey Mantle "Play like me, don't be like me". I believe that athletes should be viewed as role models while competing, but when they are in their personal lives they should not have to be concerned about what kids may be thinking about them. The reason that young athletes are looking up to them is because of their performance in their sport. He is enforcing the fact that its great that kids want to be as good of a baseball player as him, but they should not make decisions about their lives based on him.

2. A great role model for young athletes is Rosie MacLennan. At age 11, she began competing internationally for trampolining and was the Canadian National Women’s Champion in 2005, 2009 and 2011. At the 2012 Olympic Games in London, Rosie received a score of 57.305 for her final routine. She reached a new personal best and earned Canada’s only gold medal at the Games. Rosie is a recent graduate of the University of Toronto with a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Health. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in exercise science at the University of Toronto.

“Growing up in a sport-oriented family made it a totally natural thing for me to want to be active,” said Rosie MacLennan. “But I know that lots of girls today don’t necessarily grow up in that kind of environment which is why it’s so important that they have other positive role models to show them what an incredible difference getting active can make in their lives. That’s what this education program is all about.” Rosie continues to share her athletic journey by visiting schools and youth programs. She believes that being active is a