​Everything has a beginning. Imagine if people like Michael Jordan, Pelé, Usain Bolt, or Serena Williams had never even tried their respective sports because they were afraid to look like beginners. If they had let intimidation win, the world would be missing out on great talents, iconic moments, and the legendary stories that inspire generations of fans today.
Tim Duncan (basketball) is one of the most famous examples. Actually, he was a teenage swimming prodigy. A hurricane happened, destroying the only Olympic-sized swimming pool on the island of St. Croix and forcing him to train in the open ocean, where his fear of sharks pushed him out of the water completely. To summarize, he started playing basketball at just 14 years old and became the five-time NBA champion star he is today.
So, if the first plan doesn't work out, we can always start over. We can't let fear and insecurity take over, try new things, you never know. Many successful athletes failed before becoming legends. Michael Jordan once said that he missed thousands of shots during his career, but failure did not stop him. Instead, it motivated him to improve. Sometimes the first step is difficult, but persistence can change everything.
This same question echoes through our own school every single day. How many potential champions are sitting in our classrooms right now, hesitant to try out for a team because they have never played the sport before? We often look at varsity athletes and assume they were born with a ball in their hands, forgetting that everyone was once an absolute beginner.
So, take this as your sign to step out of your comfort zone this semester. Sign up for that sport you know nothing about or  attend a new club meeting.  Your own "what if" story is waiting to be written and remember they took the first step despite the exact same doubts you are feeling right now.

In a world where sports injuries never existed, the games we know today would be completely different. With athletes playing longer, records are constantly being rewritten, and the limits of human performance are being pushed far beyond what we see now.

Without injuries, athletes like Lionel Messi or LeBron James would rule the sports world for decades, as they would be able to play at their peak for much longer, and athletes like them would never have to worry about having to retire early because of injuries and sprains. This would probably mean that the same top athletes would stay at the highest level for ages, which would completely change our definition of longevity and greatness in sports.

In this world, records would completely change. More goal points, and matches would happen, completely shattering how we see our records today. If players could not get injured, it would also change our views on the best players today, as players like Derrick Rose and Marco van Basten might dominate the courts until today. This would mean that historical records could possibly be rewritten, as fouls, for example, would probably not be as serious and wouldn’t impact the game so much.

Another point to consider would be the new players. If top athletes could play at their peak condition even after aging, wouldn’t that make it much harder for new players to rise to the top? In a world without injuries, substitutions would presumably happen much less often, which would likely end up with players getting much less time on the court.

While sports without injuries may seem ideal for athletes, the lack of injuries may also cause even more difficulties in sports. If older players never had to stop playing, that would probably make it much more difficult for younger athletes to make it into professional teams. This could reduce opportunities, and it would undoubtedly take away some of the excitement from the change and surprise in competition.
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In conclusion, a world without injuries would definitely be a world where less athletes had to retire and forfeit their careers early. However, it would also probably mean that younger athletes had less chance of making it into professional teams, and it most likely makes sports lack the unpredictability that makes sports exciting. Overall, while such a world might benefit individual athletes, it could change the balance and fairness of the competition in ways that are not entirely positive. ​

The World Cup is upon us once again, and Brazil arrives with the weight of history on its shoulders. Every four years, the nation dreams of adding another star to its jersey. But looking back at 2022, one question lingers: what if Brazil had won the last World Cup in Qatar? 
Brazil’s campaign ended in a game against Croatia in the quarter-finals. Neymar’s brilliant extra-time goal seemed like it was going to carry the Seleção forward, but a later on the score was tied and penalty were lost. Players like Richarlison, Vinícius Jr., and Casemiro had shown so much brilliance, yet didn’t get to have it all. 
Neymar’s career narrative would be entirely different. At 30 in 2022, he was seen as chasing his final chance in the world cup. A World Cup victory would have placed him alongside Pelé and Ronaldo as a national legend. His role in 2026 would be less about redemption and more about defending glory. Who knows if he would have even played this year? 
For Vinícius Jr. and Rodrygo, winning in 2022 would have accelerated their leadership roles. Entering 2026 as reigning champions, they would carry confidence and authority. Instead, they now shoulder the burden of proving themselves on the biggest stage.  
Coach Tite stepped down after the 2022 defeat. Had Brazil lifted the trophy, his career might have continued. Instead, Brazil enters 2026 under new leadership, with strategies evolving to fit a younger, faster squad. A sixth star in 2022 would have eased the pressure heading into 2026.  
The “what if” of Brazil winning the last World Cup reminds us how fragile football history can be. One penalty miss altered careers, coaching paths, and national pride. If Brazil had won, Neymar’s legacy would be complete, and the new generation already winning, Now the world waits to see if Brazil can finally reclaim its title. 
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By T. Giannella

​Have you ever stopped and wondered what if Brazil had won the 2014 World Cup? Well somethings would have needed to change. For example, if Neymar hadn't injured himself in the match against Colombia, Brazil might have won against Germany.  
During the 2024  FIFA World Cup, Neymar suffered a back injury, which led to his having to leave the tournament. You may be asking yourself, ” How did that happen?” Well, further into the match, a Colombian defender jumped on top of Neymar from behind and hit his knee on Neymar's lower back, causing serious injuries and a lot of pain. This affected Brazil very much because he was only 22 and Brazil's greatest star. So, what if he had stayed healthy and scored a goal against Germany? What if he had become a national star at only 22?
The tournament being hosted in Brazil resulted in mixed emotions and nervousness. No one in the team wanted to let down Brazilians, so if the tournament had taken place in another country, we might have had a greater chance to win. Seeing that Brazil is very passionate about football and about winning, they don't intentionally cause pressure for players, but they might have gotten that feeling.
What would have happened if the match against Germany had gone differently? If Brazil changed their strategies, if they stayed more united as a team, and if key players stepped up. Would we win? Or at least go to penalties? Then, in penalties, Julio Ceasar, Brazil's goalkeeper, would save every ball. Neymar would score a goal as well as Oscar Emboaba, who actually scored a goal.  
That would allow Brazil to compete against Argentina in the finals at the Maracana Stadium. Neymar would go face-to-face with Messi, and this could cause tension in South America, divided families and friends, streets packed with fans and discussions about whether or not Brazil will win, and again the pressure of hosting the tournament and being at the finals.
Although this cannot happen, many fans still stop and wonder, what if? ​

Technology has already become a major part of sports through systems like VAR in football and Hawk-Eye in tennis. But what would happen to sports if referees were completely replaced by artificial intelligence?  
One advantage of AI referees would its accuracy. Human referees can make mistakes under pressure while AI systems could analyze movements instantly and make more precise decisions. This would reduce controversial calls and create fairer results for teams and players. 
Another benefit would be consistency. Human referees often interpret rules differently because they must rely on human judgement. AI would apply the same rules equally in every game. It could also reduce arguments between players and officials, since computer decisions may appear more objective and unbiased. 
However, replacing referees entirely could create problems. Sports known to be emotional, and some situations require human judgement. Such as in volleyball where players could get reprimanded for commemorating in a way that confronts the other team. The AI technology may struggle to understand context, or intention during certain moments in a game. Technical failures could also interrupt important matches and create confusion. 
In addition, many fans enjoy the human aspect of sports. Referees, despite their mistakes, are part of the excitement and discussion surrounding competitions. Without them, games could feel less personal and more robotic, losing its sense of culture and thrill.  
Overall, AI referees could improve fairness and accuracy in sports, but completely removing human officials may take away an important part of the game. Perhaps the best solution is a balance between technology and human judgement rather than replacing referees entirely, decreasing the rate of human error or bias but maintain the excitement on the court.  ​

​Whether you love cinematography or not, you’ve probably heard of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Baywatch, Jumanji, Moana, and even the brand-new Zootopia 2 all feature Dwayne. As a result of such dedication to his acting, Dwayne has won numerous awards: “People’s Choice Award for Favourite Movie Actor”, “NAACP Image Award for Entertainer of the Year”, “Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actor: Comedy”, “Kids' Choice Award for Favourite Male Buttkicker”, and so many more.

And yet, before his acting career, Dwayne possessed a highly successful career in wrestling, so much so that he currently holds quite a few World Records. He was a 10-time World Champion: 8-time WWE Champion and 2-time WCW Champion. He was the first third-generation superstar in wrestling and a Sixth Triple Crown Champion. That being said, why the switch-up? Wrestling and acting don’t seem to have much to do with one another. Was it difficult for Dwayne to adapt to a new lifestyle?

On the contrary, although wrestling and acting may seem like two separate worlds, Dwayne has openly spoken about how his wrestling career helped him tremendously in his acting.

Wrestling and intense physical training gave Dwayne a remarkable work ethic, the ability to connect with audiences, the ability to manage high pressure, and notable mental toughness.

Take Jumanji, for example: Dwayne’s wrestling helped him with a handful of physically demanding scenes, as well as helping him connect with different audiences through humour and charisma, blending physical action with comedy. Jumanji is only one example of many.

What if Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson had never wrestled before his acting career? Would he have won all those awards? Would he have become the funny, charming, talented actor that we all know him to be?

​There are many famous athletes who are good at their respective sports. Some even reach the Olympics and global championships, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. Under the surface lies a reality of countless training sessions, repeated failures, and mental battles. If you are not psychologically prepared, your chances of victory decrease. While the world celebrates the gold medal, no one sees the years of physical therapy, or the sacrifices made away from the spotlight.
Let's see this in practice now: the average training time for soccer players is 3 to 6 hours per day, for swimmers 5 to 6 hours, and for artistic gymnastics 6 to 8 hours. And remember, even after all this, there's still a chance it might not work out. Resilience is the invisible engine of sport; it's the ability to fail in the morning and show up for the afternoon training with the same enthusiasm. Without this mental strength, hours of physical training would be useless. Cristiano Ronaldo himself said that it's not easy, and of course he doesn't go to the gym every day with a smile on his face, but he knows his objective and his goal, and he knows the commitment he made to himself.
However, this journey is not just about pain, but also about the incredible discovery of one's own potential. There is a unique feeling in doing something that previously seemed impossible. For many athletes, the true victory happens long before the start of the competition; it resides in the silent pride of knowing they gave their best. This inner growth is the most beautiful part of the iceberg.
At the end being a great athlete isn't just luck. It's about working hard every day, even when you're tired. When we see a champion win a medal, we should remember the long story we didn't see on TV. Sport shows us that we can do incredible things if we don't give up. The gold medal is beautiful, but what's most important is the strength the athlete built along the way.

​One of the things most people associate with athletes is their remarkable mentality. In fact, many athletes, during interviews, tend to give us various motivational quotes! Anna Shcherbakova, the Olympic Champion of Figure Skating, once famously said, “ Enjoy the whole process, not just the end result” . Michael Jordan, our beloved basketball star, once stated: “ I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed”.
From an external perspective, one would assume these athletes all possess a healthy mindset. But, upon closer inspection, it becomes evident that the world of athletics is not what we assume it to be.
During the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Simone Biles, famous gymnast, withdrew from the competition during finals. Most athletes emphasize moving forward even in tough times, and yet, Simone appeared to do the contrary, claiming her mind felt out of sync with her body and thus attempting twisties in the air would be stressful.
So here comes the question: is there a limit to an athlete’s mentality? Do athletes hide their true mindset under the surface? If so, should you do the same?
Perhaps the issue isn’t athletes hiding their mentalities under the surface. Perhaps it is simply the complexity of sports which causes athletes’ mindsets to be so different.

​In 2026, we are witnessing a global evolution in how we define human performance. For decades, the sports world operated almost entirely on a surface-level frequency. We judged athletes by the visible: the size of their muscles, the speed of their sprint, and their ability to endure toxic "no pain, no gain" environments. This relentless public pressure forced players to obsess over the "GOAT" (Greatest of All Time) title, often at the expense of their own humanity. Underneath the bright stadium lights, many were struggling with physical burnout and mental exhaustion, pushed far beyond their natural willingness just to meet an outdated standard of "toughness." We were so focused on the exterior results that we completely ignored the biological and psychological price being paid out of sight.

Listening to the body's internal rhythm:  

The most significant shift has been driven by technology that acts as a bridge between our conscious minds and our internal biology. Modern wearable tech has turned the human body into an open book, allowing us to see what was once completely invisible. We are no longer guessing how we feel or trying to "tough out" a bad day; we are reading the data. Today’s smartwatches and bio-sensors track the intricate, quiet dance of our internal systems.

Athletes now have a direct line of sight to their caloric expenditure, heart rate variability, and training loads in real-time. This level of awareness has shifted the focus from "global pressure standards" to "personal health standards." Now, an athlete can glance at their wrist and realise that a poor performance on the court wasn’t "bad luck" or a lack of heart—it was a biological reality. They can see that their REM sleep was non-existent or that their cortisol levels were spiking, signalling that their body was fighting off internal stress long before they even tied their laces. It provides an objective reason to rest, proving that sometimes the most productive thing an athlete can do is absolutely nothing.

Why the locker room is becoming a lab:

Because of this "under the surface" movement, the very infrastructure of sports is changing from the ground up. Professional teams are no longer just hiring coaches to scream from the sidelines; they are building teams of data scientists and neurologists. They’ve finally realised a truth that was ignored for a century: if the central nervous system isn't recovered, it doesn't matter how much a player trains or how large their muscles look. The physical output we see during a game—the dunks, the goals, the sprints—is entirely dependent on the invisible maintenance that happens during the twenty-three hours they are off the court. Wellness has officially become the ultimate status symbol in the locker room; the most valuable players aren't just the strongest anymore, they are the ones who have mastered the art of recovery.

A more honest kind of hero:
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Sincerely, the coolest part of this “under the surface”  movement is how it is changing the leadership culture. Now, when a superstar speaks openly about their anxiety or pulls themselves from a game to protect their internal health, instead of putting on a fake mask. It tells every kid watching at home that taking care of your internal self is just as vital as the points you put on the board. In 2026, the greatest players are those who have realised that you can't have a legendary exterior if the interior is falling apart.