A rare occasion when sports brings a feeling of sadness – RIP Jules Bianchi !

I have always believed that sports is source of pure joy and happiness. Whether you are playing, watching or following sports; it just gives you immense pleasure and satisfaction. I can only think of a handful of other things that can do this. Yet, some rare occasion makes sports bring a tinge of sadness in our lives.

I woke up today with the news of the sad demise of F1 Driver Jules Bianchi. He was in a prolonged battle with injury which he sustained in a crash at Japanese GP last year. A talented F1 driver passing away at the tender age of 25 is just too much to bear for a Motorsports fan like me.

Interestingly, its only today that I suddenly feel so connected to Bianchi. All through previous seasons of F1, he was just a name on the classification, a driver on the grid for me. The fact that he drove a Marussia meant that we wouldn’t get to see or follow him as much during the race weekends. He did get points for the team once though. But after the crash at Suzuka and more so today, I look at him in a completely different way. Same thing happened when Phil Hughes passed away after his on pitch injury. Ironically, I feel connected to them when they are no more. I browse internet to read more about them, their career, their family & friends. I am keen to understand these athletes as a person now and sadly death is a catalyst for this change in view. :-(.

I wonder is this how the world looks at the athletes other than the big stars? We are so focused on the big names that the categories of ‘also played’ (no disrespect) athletes just gets ignored. We forget the fact that while on the field they were also giving all they had. More importantly, they were also following their passions and deriving pure joy out of doing what they loved the most. Just that, cameras did not focus on them as often or the scribes did not write about them doesn’t mean they did not exist.

RIP Jules Bianchi ! Way too early to say good bye to the world :-(.