I took my little family to Sydney's Chinatown for dinner yesterday. The Darling Harbour precinct was awash with competitors involved with the Masters' Games on at the moment.
On the was back to the car, I noticed an old timer who was shuffling along slowly back home along Campbell Street. He was wearing his credentials around his neck. I was about to say 'G'day' when my 3 yr old son distracted me as we crossed the street.
A moment later as we bunddled the kids in the car, the same fellow reached us & stopped for a breather. I said hello & he was only too keen for a chin wag. I asked if he was a competitor & he replied 'Yes'. Could have pushed me over with a feather. He looked as if Captin Cook was a playmate of his whith the years on him! Asking how he's been doing & he replied "I've done OK. I've won two Silver and one Gold, and tomorrow I'll be swimming in the 200m breaststroke"!!!
He went on to tell me that He had grown up in this part of Sydney, SurryHills, so had I, and that it's changed "a bit from the 1920's".
Next week he was embarking on a trip around Australia to raise awarness on Breast Cancer!
What a great story, Alexander. And what an amazing chap. It goes to show that there are some talented and amazing people in the community, who have some great talents, no matter what age they are.
