Sachin Tendulkar, Roger Federer, Michael Schumacher, Tiger Woods, Lance Armstrong rocked the world almost at the same time. They were all above and beyond their competitors. They were demigods in their own respective countries and loved internationally, respected and even feared by their competitors. Each had his own unique strength. They all walked, talked, behaved like real champions- Humble to the core, and let their professionalism do the talking.
Where are they in a decade?
Roger Federer is just a shadow of his former self, bowing out in Quarter Finals of a tournament he has won 5 times. Although he still won the Wimbledon this year.
Michael Schumacher came back to the Formula 1 world, and has stayed as an also ran until this year.
Tiger Woods due to his personal indiscretion is now covered more as part of jokes than his achievements in the course.
Sachin Tendulkar has somehow saved his grace but also been subjected to the constant demands of retirement.
The worst has been Lance Armstrong story – I still have a difficult time understanding that his too-goo-to-be-true story was exactly that.
Now I am living in the age of Fallen Heroes. Have they been replaced by new heroes? Not a chance. Even today, occasionally when these men show their mettle, all opposition crumbles down.