Is Murray a hero?

He was eight and Jamie was ten at the time of the massacre and Hamilton was well known to the family. It is clearly a very painful memory.

www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/jun/05/tennis.scotland

Perhaps we just have to accept that the use of our language changes over time and that hero now has a wider meaning.

We have had this discussion before in respect of David Walliams and had to accept that the term 'Hero' has become somewhat debased from its purest meaning. If you think of the common usages of 'He's my hero' or 'sporting heroes' implying someone to look up to or emulate then I think Andy Murray is as entitled to that accolade as any of our other Olympians. I certainly believe you have to be pretty brave to go out alone onto a court and spend up to 5 hours putting your skills to the test, subject to the scrutiny of thousands of spectators and the world's media.

Greatnan - Yes I think most of Dunblane will turn out today for their 'local hero'. You have no reason to know this but Andy and every other resident of Dunblane has overcome 'terrible trauma'. Andy was a schoolboy in Dunblane Primary at the time of the massacre there. You cannot imagine the effect that had on the community where everyone knew some of the children who were killed or injured. The people of Dunblane will never forget or wholly recover from this massive tragedy but their support for Andy Murray has given them something to be proud of, has put Dunblane in the news again - this time for good reasons.

I repeat - I didn't say he shouldn't be admired - just that I don't see him as a hero!!
Was he personally involved in the Dunblane massacre - he would have been too old to be in the infant class? Is surviving a tragedy enough to make someone a hero? If so, my grandchildren are heroes because they were good friends with Megan and Josie Russell. I don't know the life histories of all the children in the infant class at Dunblane, so I cannot say whether or not they have gone on to make good lives.

I agree with the above and no doubt his efforts will be rewarded in the New Year Honours.

I agree with Jane. It does take a very special determination to succeed in his world and I don't think any one could do it for the money, it is much more than that. The dedication and determination and all the things one has to forego to reach such heights IMO should be greatly admired.

I think we've debated the use of the word 'hero' before when David Walliams was swimming the Thames. It is a much-abused word - a handy shorthand in headlines for members of the armed forces some of whom are and many of whom are not, strictly speaking, 'heroes'. And, no, Andy is a fine tennis player but I think he himself would be embarrassed to be described as a 'hero'.

Well he did overcome a terrible trauma didn't he?
All the children and staff who survived the slaughter in the Dunblane classroom in 1996 and have gone on to make a life for themselves are heroes to me.

I haven't belittled his sporting achievements - I just don't think they justify the term 'hero'. Not his fault, but nearly every commentator uses it.

Andy Murray was born in Dunblane - that's all, and grandparents still live there. He is champion in his sport - that's all.

I don't think we should belittle the very great mental and physical strength and dedication needed to excel in sport these days, and we should acknowledge his achievement in being the first British man to win a grand slam event for 75 years. But I agree that is not the same as heroism in the sense of the bravery exhibited in the theatre of war, or someone risking their own life to save another.
I do think he will appear as a hero to all those who have tried very hard to lift British tennis to world class status though.
I have never been to Dunblane but I understand it is a small town and especially after the massacre, probably has a strong sense of community, so I expect people will turn out to greet him.
I think if he came from the Northumberland village where I live, I probably would!

I don't regard Murray as a hero. He's a talented tennis player who has managed to get the right team around him, and with the aid of sports technology he has persevered to get to the top of his game. Well done to him, but he's not a hero.