Pressure was thrown into the world of JJ.OO.

The more expectations they put on the shoulders of Fernando Mamede (1/11/1951, Beja, Alentejo), The result is worse. More is talked about and written about the choices of one of the best athletes Portugal has provided in good athletics quotes, greater failure and with it, the insult of a society who does not understand the mental factor in the sport.

Always of sport

He started his sporting career by practicing football in any child’s dream for his soul’s soul: the Sporting of Portugal. But participation in the cross regional championship held Beja He changed his life. He won and felt comfortable. So it was suggested to proceed with athletes. After winning a 1,000 -meter race leading to the athlete’s federer, the athletics section of Sports He contacted him.

He didn’t hesitate for a moment. To continue training for the club, they are looking for a job. In 1968 he went to work in the accounting department until he left him in 1990. At a time of his career, the Benfica He offered him an amount of money that tripled what he had sued to Sports (2,100 shields), but said no, for club and shirt love.

‘April Captains’

The Carnation Revolution It was the revolt of ‘April Captains’, the left military, which left the barracks, dismissed the dictatorial government without shooting a single projectile with a population worn on restrictions, the colonial empire and the three -lye mandatory military service. Mamede He lived it in the first man. Was transferred to Mozambique And he has a great fear to take a weapon. She is Sports And the Federation pays 15 thousand shields to another boy in the area, and can stay at Lisbon’s barracks, with a good schedule – from 14 to 17 hours – giving him time to work, train the club and win a good salary at the end of the month.

Mamedeman who liked the order, peace and tranquility, was disturbed by the sudden revolutionary confusion that took place in his troop office, in the construction of Army staff. On April 25, 1974, at 0:25 pm Radio Renanceça The song ‘Grândola, Vila Morena’. That is the signal for military controls willing to overthrow the government of Caetano to go out and get strategic points. In some time and without being shot, the government collapsed.

The pressure

Many will remember Fernando Mamede As a failed by a single performance. A weight and a cross that lasts in its days, even talking, in Bar Psychology, of ‘Fernando Mamede Complex’: the trauma and fortune leading to many, to reach success and to reach the goal, to leave the career, to be left with a safe success.

But before that, Mamede You can show a wonderful -sheet of service: National Track Clubs Champion, National Cross Country Clubs Champion, Cross Country European Cup ChampionParticipation in three Olympics (1972, 1976, 1974), 14 National Title on Track, 15 Collective Titles on Track, 12 teams won the European Cup of cross-country, six individual success in National Cross-Country Championship and 16 participation in Cross-Country World Championship. And it will also be remembered for your notes: In a Worldthree in Europe and 27 in the National Championships in the most varied distances (1,500m. 3: 37.98 – Montreal1979 / 5,000m. 13: 08.54 – Tokyo1983 / 10,000m. 27: 13.81 – Stockholm1984). The record of Stockholm ended the formation of massive pressure on Mamede. His clear efficiency with his opponents, accompanied by a very fast final acceleration, made him a favorite for JJ.OO.

The image of abandonment

For the story will have images of 10,000 m testing of JJ.OO. of Los Angeles’84 . The career had begun, with kilometer five, after 12 and a half laps on the track, he left. That decision, which is now reviewed, charges the importance of assessing the importance of mental health and loading pressure. But at that time, little or nothing was discussed. Mamede He experienced the misunderstanding of an entire man eager for sports joys. All Portuguese, which was attached to the screen at dawn on August 6, 1984, were given a little known fact. “They don’t ask me for a medal, because no one wants a medal than me in Los Angeles!” Put it down Mamede. Without realizing Mamede Humanized the Olympics and sport in general.

When he returned to LisbonThey painted and destroyed the bars of their sports store, but found the force that appeared at other meetings. Days later, at Zurich.

Some Portuguese knowing the winner that night: so it was called Alberto CovaItalian and eventually admitted to conduct ‘blood doping’.