Hero among scientists:
Werner Forssmann, Nobelprize winner for Medecine. In1929,
he opened his own vein, pushed a catheter into his own heart and asked
a friend to X-ray him so that others might believe! He endured physical
pain, fear for his life, skepticism and contempt but paved the way for
open heart surgery and better and longer lives for millions today.
Hero among politicians:
Nelson Mandela, the first South-African Prime Minister
after the fall of apartheid. For 27 years he endured prison and persecutions,
but he kept hoping for a more just society in his country; finally his
dreams came true and, when it happened, he did not allow hatred to take
over his life.
Hero among athletes:
Baptista Pereira, a portuguese swimmer. In the early fifties
he trained after work, almost alone, on the river Tagus, without the kind
of support now given to worldclass champions: star coaches, medical teams,
sophisticated equipment, corporate or media sponsorship, legal protection,
release time from his job... His dream was to swim across the English Channel.
The event used to be held every year and participants were the best swimmers
of the whole world. He won the race the year he participated|