For some reason Gatorade is not big outside the US, unlike Cola. So I don't know it. But it sounds like it is basically another sugar drink. I just found this interview with Chris Legh, who does commercials for Gatorade based on the dubious honor of almost having killed himself by dehydration during Ironman race in 1997. I am struck by several things:
1: The importance human cultures puts on sports.
2: Ditto for commercial products.
3: This guy killed part of his intenstines. He was not stuck in the desert or mountains, he was a pro athlete in a race. How stupid can you be?
4: Somebody makes a blog for Gatorade?
2 comments:
Gatorade was the "first" official "sports drink." It was invented by biochem professors at a university in Florida, where the teams' mascot is the alligator, and where the (American) football stadium is so famous for its heat and humidity that it is nicknamed "the swamp." The original intent was to provide replenishing of fluids and electrolytes (salts and sugars, basically) in a palatable medium that would encourage college-aged players to ... ahem ... drink responsibly. So to speak.
This was in the 1970s, I think. I had the pleasure of attending summer (European) football camps at a school nearby soon thereafter, and we small kiddums were fed plenty of Gatorade-style off-brand non-trademarked sports-oriented drinks to help us survive the Florida summer so we could be sent home safe to mom and dad after running around in the 98 degrees and 98 percent.
So, Gatorade wasn't intended (nor is it marketed) so much as a cola or a (European) lemonade, as a "performance enhancing professional sports accoutrement." In that sense, it fits right in with Mr. Stobblehouse's comments about the importance of sports in our society. Silly obsession, uses up lots of economic resources for very little benefit to society at large except the further perpetuation of more sports.
But then, I'm enjoying Bulgaria equalize vs. Romania right now ...
Three words : Paris-Dakar Rally. ):-P
I can be brief sometimes. ;-)
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