Categorized | Multi-sport, Sports

NBC to re-air Ironman 2010 race (July 17)

MEDIA RELEASE

NBC will re-air the television coverage of the Ironman World Championship at 7 a.m. Sunday, July 17 on Channel 8.

One of the athletes featured in this year’s show was the amazing Lew Hollander. In the past he’s joked that all he had to do was outlive all of his competition – then he’d be able to win his age category.

Last October he was trying to become only the second 80-year-old to finish the Ironman World Championship.

Hollander was hoping to follow in the footsteps of Robert McKeague, who completed the Ironman World Championship at the age of 80 in 2005.

“A lot of the older athletes – people like Cherie Gruenfeld and Lew Hollander – who compete in the race are looked up to even more than the pros,” says Mike Reilly, who has announced at the last 21 Ironman World Championship events.

Hollander is not only a great athlete, he is also a scientist, lecturer, horseman and raconteur. Here’s an excerpt from his website that offers some great advice for all of us who would like to age as well as he has:

“While we stand around, suffering from curable diseases and aging … there are a few things one can do to enhance the quality of life as we age. These will not break the 110 year barrier but they may enhance life during the aging process.

“Here are a few thoughts that may help you retain what you have:

1. Use it or lose it.
2. Go hard, live long.
3. Go anaerobic every day.
4. Eat well, fruits and vegetables with abundant supplements
5. Set your plans well in advance and have achievable goals.
6. Have a stress free relationship.
7. Keep socially active and interested in life and it’s challenges.
8. There are no fat old people so watch your calorie intake.

While highlights of the Ironman World Championship first aired on television in 1980 as part of ABC’s Wide World of Sports, it wasn’t until 1991 when the broadcast was moved to NBC, that it became a stand-alone program.

Since then the 90-minute show has earned more than 40 Emmy nominations, won 14 Emmy awards and received three prestigious CINE Golden Eagle Awards.

The television coverage of the Ironman World Championship has long provided the most visible and inspiring images of the event to the world. Ironman’s crowning moment came in 1982 when ABC’s cameras captured a scene that would be etched in the minds of millions for years to come.

The scene that would come to embody the spirit of Ironman showed a young woman named Julie Moss, physically and mentally spent, drawing on only heart and fortitude to crawl across the finish line. Those images of courage and determination launched Ironman into an international sensation and have kept television viewers riveted to their sets ever since.

For almost three decades, the drama of Ironman Triathlon has captured the attention of millions around the world. Its compelling stories of ordinary people accomplishing the extraordinary move and inspire television viewers of all ages.

This year’s coverage of the Ironman World Championship from Kona, Hawaii, was every bit as exciting. With one of the most exciting professional races in history as a backdrop, the coverage also included features on Kathleen Allen, Lew Hollander, Kyle Garlett and Clayton Treska.

“Each year we look to inspire our viewers with the raw power and competitive nature of the professional athletes along with the impressive stories of courage and determination demonstrated by all participants,” Peter Henning, vice president of television production for Ironman, said. “The course might not change year to year, but the drama continues to intensify.”

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