I’m sorry to hear how badly you were affected by terrible parenting mate.
Only in recent days have I been discussing my relationship with my own mother with one of my daughters and my wife.
Mum had mentioned to my daughter about how much she’s missed my dad over the last 18 years and how their relationship was “a laugh a minute” according to mum.
This came as a massive surprise to me seeing as all I could recall was the constant rows and the numerous times my dad “left” her due to her being such a neurotic pain in the a r s e.
Constantly moody and short tempered, nothing ever seemed right for her and any trip was a misery with her forever on my case and my brothers and niggling at my dad.
I’m nearly 60 but when I gave it some thought I couldn’t remember mum ever cuddling or comforting me.
Dad was different, he could be a disciplinarian when needed but he was fun and funny and would comfort you when it was needed.
Even now at nearly 83 mum can be very difficult and selfish and I have an awkward relationship with her, I’m the one who calls her out and confronts her unacceptable behaviour.
I totally agree with what you say about this in relation to kids etc and especially home life.
My point is more about people like this rower, a grown man who’s entered a sport which is well documented to have a tough, Spartan regime in GB under Juergen Grobler for more than 30 years.
It was the same when Aussie Bill Sweetnam took over at GB swimming in the 90’s when our results were dire, he ruffled feathers with his boot camp approach but it started getting results and look where we are now.
Our cycling team has had fantastic results but we’re on the decline since hard a r s e s like Shane Sutton were accused of being too “bullying” and discarded.
I’m sorry but if you’re an adult and you can’t stand the heat then get out of the kitchen when it comes to elite sport.