Two Historic Milestones This Week

By Chris • November 5, 2008

There were two separate culturally historic milestones this week. One of which is a huge moment in world history and slightly over-shadowed the other, but not here at LMS headquarters. This week, they both get the coveted LMS Award for over-coming boundaries, fighting prejudice, and breaking color lines…(and, of course, they are both living athletic lifestyles)…

After 2 Years, It’s Finally Over

During the original LMS Adventure , from January to April of this year, there was one thing that dominated the US media, news, and headlines. The weird thing is, as both of us are back in the US this week, 10 months later, that same thing is dominating the news! Guess it’s fitting that as we are back here to see this very long race finally come to an end.

In actuality, it has been more like a two-year quest for one Barack Obama to this point: to be the first black President of the United States of America. In two years, he has come from a relatively unknown US senator from Illinois, to the leader of the most powerful nation in the world. He’s travelled the country almost non-stop giving speeches, meeting voters, and getting to know the people. In the meantime, he won a very long, hard-fought battle with Hillary Clinton to win the Democratic nomination which dragged on from Janurary until almost June. And, know he has won a historic vote for US President in dominating fashion. Now, that is one heck of an endurace event! (go to the end of this post to watch Obama’a inspirational speech).

As millions of Americans, Canadians, and people world-wide watched this historic day of voting unfold it was hard not to feel a sense of importance. As the numbers began to come in on key battleground states, it was a very similar mix of excitment and nervousness that you get watching a sporting event involving your favorite team or athlete. Now matter what your beliefs or who were cheering for, you couldn’t help get that feeling that something very significant was happening.

So, why does he get our LMS Award this week? Well, he is not your typical politician. He is an athlete, a great basketball player, and keeps himself in great physical shape. His workouts have been a item of discussion and quite impressive. Take this example, where he goes to the gym three times during a day in which he also had a busy campaining schedule. Even though he was once a smoker, we’ll give him props for setting a good example and butting out (and ignore fact that he still has the “occasional” smoke).

An Amazing Last-Lap Pass

Needing to move up one position on the final lap, in the final race, of a globe-trotting marathon auto-racing series, against the best drivers in the world is what faced Lewis Hamilton this past Sunday. This daunting task was to secure victory in the overall Formula 1 championship and become the youngest champion ever. By finishing 5th in the Brazilian Grand Prix, the 23 year-old Briton became the youngest and more importantly, the first black F1 Champion! His margin of victory was a single point over Felipe Massa (ironically, the same margin he lost the championship by last year). More info from TSN

But, you might ask yourself, “Why give the award to a car driver? All they do is sit there!”. Well, driving the most high-tech, fastest race cars in the world requires the drivers to be in top physical, and more importantly, mental shape where one tiny mistake can literally kill you! The F1 season is also a test of endurance as the season never really ends. The teams and drivers are constantly testing year-round in a effort to gain a split second over their opponents.

Oh ya, we should mention that Hamilton is also dating Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls. Well done Lewis, well done.

We should say that this victory does not carry nealy the same significance as Barack’s big victory, but still is worth noting. I’m sure both guys will cherish their LMS Awards and we hope that Obama will put it up on the mantle in his new white home.

Hamilton’s Last 3 Laps.