Housman tells the athlete to take his fame to his grave so that he can henceforth always be remembered for his great achievement and that no one else can surpass him. “There is no clear definition of time or space in the poem. It could take place at any time in ancient or recent history and in any country, and therefore the theme is universal” (Preview: “To an Athlete Dying Young”). Some critics believe this is the only time in his life he was praised for a positive accomplishment, but we do not know how old this athlete is or where/when this poem appears. And then all of a sudden these achievements disappear and mean nothing because now the athlete died young, but that's not the case.