Argentine sport shines through the economic gloom
Neither financial hardship nor soccer World Cup failure can dent Argentina's passion for sport.
In tennis, golf, polo, rugby and even basketball, Argentina is producing world-class players despite the worst-ever economic crisis at home.
"Argentines play sport with unbelievable passion and heart, perhaps more than other countries. It is not about the money, it's just a will to win, and that's why the nation is being so successful," said Andrea Pierri, a psychologist at the Buenos Aires Psychologists' Association.
Soccer aside -- and former champions Argentina remain joint second in world governing body FIFA's rankings despite their embarrassing first-round exit from the World Cup last month -- Argentina is enjoying worldwide success in sport.
Unseeded David Nalbandian became the first Argentine tennis player to reach the men's final at Wimbledon earlier this month, losing to Australian Lleyton Hewitt.
Eduardo Romero, at the age of 47, became the third oldest winner in European Tour history when he won the Scottish Open golf tournament two weeks ago.
The Pumas rugby team celebrated a surprise win over Six Nations champions France last month while the nation's women's hockey team are the Champions Trophy holders.
Argentina won this year's pre World Cup basketball tournament -- a championship that excludes the United States -- as well as the South American trophy, triumphed in the recent Panamerican handball trophy and has provided 85 per cent of the world's top 20 polo players.
TRUE GRIT
Self-belief is at the heart of Argentina's wide success, says another psychologist, Liliana Desideri.
"Argentines are a breed apart. (It is) their pure grit and passion, as well as dedication, that drives them to success," said Desideri.
The financial crisis at home, with unemployment at a record 21 per cent and half the population unable to meet basic food needs or pay household bills, has left little money for sport.
But while the nation's sportsmen and women might lack cash, there was no shortage of determination, said Desideri.
"Argentines have virtually no financial backing, making us rely on our obsessive nature and thirst for victory. Thankfully our tunnel vision mind-sets carry us home."
Basketball player Emanuel Ginobili, snapped up by the NBA's San Antonio Spurs for $2.9 million this month, typifies the supremely confident Argentine sportsman, insisting he was not worried about facing such big names as Michael Jordan.
"I have never been scared of anybody," said Ginobili. "They will not intimidate me. I just see it as a challenge but I am sure of myself and confident in my ability."
Nalbandian's success at the Wimbledon tennis, when he became the first player in the Open era to reach the final on his tournament debut, has helped to make Argentina, along with Spain, the most successful nation in the ATP champions' race so far this year.
Nalbandian, who practised for Wimbledon's grasscourts on a Buenos Aires cricket pitch, is joint 13th in the Champions Race -- a league based on results in the four Grand Slam tournaments -- one place behind compatriot Gaston Gaudio.
Guillermo Canas lies 16th with Juan Ignacio Chela 18th.
FIRST TITLE
Argentina won the ATP world team championship in May and last Sunday's Polish Open final saw two Argentines battling it out, with teenager Jose Acasuso beating Franco Squillari to win his first ATP Tour title.
In hockey, Argentine midfielder Luciana Aymar was declared the world's best player last year by the World Hockey Federation.
In rugby, the Pumas are now ranked within the top seven teams in the world, despite players often earning just a few dollars per game, and are pushing for a spot in the Tri-Nations tournament, the annual championship between New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.
"We are on the right road now as we seriously challenge the world's best teams," said caretaker captain Augustin Pichot.
Argentina are strong contenders for the volleyball world cup which they will host in September and October.
In polo, Argentina have no peers. Led by "superstar among the rich" player Adolfito Cambiasso, Argentina is without doubt, the world's leading nation on the polo circuit.
In soccer, Argentina is still supplying the world with top-class players even though success has eluded the national team.
Midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme completed an $11 million transfer from Boca Juniors to Barcelona earlier this month and will join compatriot Javier Saviola in Spain. They follow in the footsteps of Diego Maradona, who played at the Nou Camp from 1982 to 1984.
But soccer can perhaps hope for a return to the glory days with the news that former national coach Carlos Bilardo, who led the country to World Cup triumph in 1986, is contemplating a career in politics and could be influential in nursing the sport back to health.
