What is the sublime? First, no, this is not about that apparently quintessential 90s genre bending band that is now eulogized in bar room karaoke and backyard party sing-a-longs. A dictionary definition is more in tune of what this discussion will be about. Something sublime can be said to inspire awe because of a lofty or elevated manner and is enlightening. In simple terms, it is something that wows. It is that moment when the sun bursts through and stops the clouds that were literally pouring cats and dogs with attitude problems, illuminates a triple rainbow as birds begin to chirp out a tune that a certain large corporation may have grounds to sue on violation of copyright laws, and everyone stops to admire the scene knowing that life isn't so dreadful after all. In more modest terms and without the sense of sarcasm, it is a moment where your hair stands on edge, your heart may jump in your chest or even skip a beat, or chills roll down your spine. The sublime can be cathartic, euphoric, a pupil dilating mental orgasm.
The idea of something awe inspiring leaves a very subjective interpretation of what the sublime actually is. Is there a universal idea of the sublime? Can something really have a universal Keanu Reeve's “Woah!” moment? Is there a single scene that could bring about an enlightening feeling shared by every single being of every single walk of life? The Longinus piece On The Sublime, was referring more to literature, and not to other mediums. This could be grounds for saying that nothing in modern media or even real life is or can be sublime; at least in the sense that Longinus was attempting to capture. By using Aristotle's idea that poetry (literature) is merely a representation of probability of truth (life), then by judging the real life sublime is merely judging literature that has actually happened.
The world of sports is filled with moments that are fueled with moments that could all be classified as sublime. Those times where all probabilities seem to work against a team yet they manage, by passion, pride, and sheer determination, and maybe a touch of something called luck (or fate, or destiny to some) come out victorious. The important aspect of judging sublime within a realm of sports is that it must be looked at objectively. The viewer must disregard any biases against the sport, a club, a player, and try to view it for what emotions it stirs up. Emotions never create the sublime, but the sublime can create emotion.
There are two clips below that seem to capture a sublime moment in sports history, as well as links to other clips that can be viewed and analyzed in the same way. For all of those who recognize the clips, you may proceed to them. For all those who did not watch or pay attention to the FIFA World Cup 2010, allow me to set the scene. For all those who do not know the rules of the tournament, please contact the nearest football(soccer, futbol) enthusiast or Wikipedia.
It was the last game of the group stages for Group C. The United States v. Algeria and England v. Slovenia. Slovenia was on top of the group with 4 points, the US and England were tied with 2, and Algeria bottomed out the group with 1. The United States was hoping to advance to the round of 16, and due to events in the England v. Slovenia game, England taking a 1-0 lead, the US needed to win in order to progress, since a draw would only give them 1 point. Supporters watched on for an painfully exhilarating 90 minutes watching chance after chance pass by or were quashed by a superb showing of Algeria's defense. It looked as though the US was going to dwindle out of another world competition before...
(Ignore the blatant sense of nationalism. The World's Reaction?)
What were these people reacting to?
On a personal level I remember exactly where I was watching this match and I can remember the exact feeling when the ball hit the back of the net. The moment when nothing else mattered. To this day watching this still brings tears to my eyes. Unfortunately, there was the other teams that were negatively affected, and it seems unfair to say that this was sublime if we are to assume Longinus as being correct when he said it is a universal. But it begs the question...can there be sublime loses? What emotion went through Goliath's fans' hearts? Does this refute the idea that there is a sublime world of sports?
Links to other Sublime? moments (not limited to only these):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
- Champions League Final 1999 (Manchester United v. Bayern Munich)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
- Stanford v. California NCAA Football
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