Christmas, the athlete and a price to pay

Sport is a great source of collective emotions.

Converted into one of the biggest businesses today, its presence extends beyond the competition, satiating the fan with small permanent doses.

The games begin to be played several days before, they take place on the pitch and, despite knowing the result, they do not end until later, with the endless debate that accompanies them.

This constant need for a show is generated.

On these dates we witness one of the clearest examples.

In English football, what is known as

is celebrated

, an appointment marked in red by footballers and fans.

On December 26, the day after Christmas and a public holiday in the UK, the English league schedules matches in a celebratory atmosphere.

They are special days although athletes, in the exercise of their profession, are working.

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A family of warriors

Elite athletes make efforts like any professional.

In their particular case, they must give up a good part of their lives to progress in the competition.

On many occasions, being a professional implies restricting your youth, leaving home at a very young age, missing family moments ... sacrifices that can also be experienced in any home away from sports.

Professional competitions have very tight schedules.

In my case, I know the guts of tennis, with seasons that can extend up to 11 months per year.

If we talk about Christmas, having the Australian tournaments in January, wielding a racket implies giving up enjoying those family days in something like a home.

When you put on your athlete's suit you know the price you are willing to pay.

Understand that sports success goes beyond social recognition or economic well-being.

The privileges that come with the profession are intertwined with a multitude of obstacles.

Thanks to sport, many people manage to earn a good living and meet personal goals.

I also think there are details that could be improved.

Is it necessary to compete on Christmas Day like in the Premier League?

Is it so important to play on December 31 or January 1 in the image of the NBA or the tennis circuits?

I think that on many occasions the human notion of athletes is lost, placed in the center of a show that does not look beyond the numbers.

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Carolina Marín's tenacity, her greatest greatness

I think there are enough weeks in a year to systematically deprive people of certain moments. Christmas is a special time, in which we all deserve to spend time with our loved ones and enjoy family moments. Outside of elite sports, in jobs that make our lives easier, there are professions that put their workers at the bottom of the barrel these days and should be treated with the respect they deserve. The athlete, if required, usually also does it away from home.

In the case of December 26, players must train or travel on the same Christmas day. Perhaps it is an ideal plan for families and children, placed before a unique opportunity. Going to the stadium to support your team, with the flexibility of schedules that a public holiday grants, is a great advantage. But athletes, who are people in the first place, means giving up a holiday that is expected for a whole year. I say this from my own experience, having missed these moments for much of my career.

On the other side of the coin, the fans respond with a special affection on those dates.

That heat is something that the athlete notices.

That this tradition of union in families continues alive, that young people dream of dedicating themselves to sports is a prize that the athlete must keep as a treasure.

The effort to give them illusion is the best gift.

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