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Losers attitude (Olympics)

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago

So some athletes have criticised others for celebrating bronze medals "as if they were Gold" ones.

Is this part of a culture that robs athletes of the ruthlessness to push themselves for Gold?

Is this a wider cultural thing, England football never look disappointed with a draw.

The Chinese media refer to getting a silver medal as "losing a gold"...

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

That's because China teach kids that second place is really just the first loser.

Here the kids get taught its not winning its taking part that counts.

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"That's because China teach kids that second place is really just the first loser.

Here the kids get taught its not winning its taking part that counts. "

So which one is correct in your opinion?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"That's because China teach kids that second place is really just the first loser.

Here the kids get taught its not winning its taking part that counts.

So which one is correct in your opinion? "

Some where in between. World level competition, of course gold is preferable, but 2nd or 3rd best in the world, yeah I'd be celebrating.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

A bronze medal in the olympics is still quite an achievement. I don't see anything wrong with celebrating being third best in the world.

Are the accusers past gold medalists?

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By *ce WingerMan
over a year ago

P.O. Box DE1 0NQ

Usain Bolt was cringing when Justin Gatlin entered the stadium to a somewhat less than friendly atmosphere

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

i think achieving bronze is an achievement, i hate it when footballers remove their "loosers" medals (bunch overpaid wankers- and Im a season ticket holder) lol

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"That's because China teach kids that second place is really just the first loser.

Here the kids get taught its not winning its taking part that counts.

So which one is correct in your opinion? "

I cage fight....the last thing you wanna do there is come second.

China maybe a little regimental in there training camps, in this country it would be child cruelty.

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"i think achieving bronze is an achievement, i hate it when footballers remove their "loosers" medals (bunch overpaid wankers- and Im a season ticket holder) lol"

If a non-league team makes the 4th round of the FA cup, that's a huge achievement itself. But if they stop dreaming of winning the FA cup, that's a huge problem.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Qualifying for the Olympics is an achievement.

Winning silver if your ability and expectation is gold is a disappointment.

Winning bronze if just qualification was your goal is an amazing victory.

It's all about perception which is why there's no right or wrong answer to this question.

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By *ootballFlowerCouple
over a year ago

Ollerton

In sport winning is the ultimate goal. Yes taking part can provide a sense of achievement but in the end it is the winning that counts.

This also translates in to real life - if you are salesperson but never land the deal it's not how nice you were or how hard you tried that matters in the end it's the bottom line.

2nd is the 1st of the losers in any field as far as I am concerned.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

You know the mantra repeated by many successful entrepreneurs and businees people?

Do not be afraid of making mistakes.

(Not that getting an Olympic silver can be defined as a mistake).

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

It's all relative, I guess. Like you say a non-league team reaching the fourth round of the cup is a great achievement. A second division team reaching the semis would be noteworthy. But overall I do feel in Britain we celebrate mediocrity too readily. Ultimately we should all want to be the best we can be. America and Australia want and expect that. Not sure we do though

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By *ustinCredible.Man
over a year ago

whitecross/sankey valley

I'm with China if your not 1st your part of the losing team, but I try and teach my lad to be competitive with a healthy dose of humility so if he doesn't win he knows that it just wasn't his day and to work your butt off for the next time

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

A athlete did say that you win a gold . You win a bronze but silver is the only medal that you actually lose to get it

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Qualifying for the Olympics is an achievement.

Winning silver if your ability and expectation is gold is a disappointment.

Winning bronze if just qualification was your goal is an amazing victory.

It's all about perception which is why there's no right or wrong answer to this question. "

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By *ce WingerMan
over a year ago

P.O. Box DE1 0NQ


"A athlete did say that you win a gold . You win a bronze but silver is the only medal that you actually lose to get it "

Yeah, but you're pure Gold Tosh so it doesn't matter anyway

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"A athlete did say that you win a gold . You win a bronze but silver is the only medal that you actually lose to get it

Yeah, but you're pure Gold Tosh so it doesn't matter anyway "
Cheers

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Wonder how many medals/trophies the people saying if it's not gold you're a loser have won

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Wonder how many medals/trophies the people saying if it's not gold you're a loser have won "

I can't answer for the rest here, but I know how many I have.

It's not as many as Michael Phelps

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By *iamondjoeMan
over a year ago

Glastonbury


"Wonder how many medals/trophies the people saying if it's not gold you're a loser have won

I can't answer for the rest here, but I know how many I have.

It's not as many as Michael Phelps "

Interestingly, Phelps might owe as much as $55k by the time he returns to the US...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-37099066

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Well he can always use .cash for gold . Kerching

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By *iamondjoeMan
over a year ago

Glastonbury

Wow...

I thought that was a standard winning... that's just the US - different countries have different prizes for winning medals...

NO# COUNTRY GOLD

1 Singapore S$1 million (US $757,000)

2 Malaysia A solid gold bar worth (around $600,000)

3 Azerbaijan $510,000

4 Kazakhstan $250,000 $150,000 $75,000

5 Thailand $314,000 (over 20 years period)

6 Philippines $237,000 (over 20 years period)

7 Kyrgyzstan $200,000

8 Latvia $190,000

9 Italy $189,800 $95,000 $50,000

10 Uzbekistan $150,000

11 Belarus $150,000

12 Ukraine $150,000

13 Russia $180,000 $90,000 $45,000

14 Australia $126,000

15 Tajikistan $63,000

16 France $65,000

17 China $31,400

18 USA $25,000

19 Germany $19,500

20 United Kingdom no cash prized awarded by Britain’s Olympic Committee

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By *iamondjoeMan
over a year ago

Glastonbury


"Well he can always use .cash for gold . Kerching "

Actually, no...

Value of Summer Olympics Medals:

Gold: $600 (The gold medal consist of just 1% of actual gold, 92.5% silver and 6.16% copper).

Silver: $325 (While in silver medal, the gold is replaced by more copper rest meterial is the same like gold medal)

Bronze: $3 (Bronze medal however is 97% copper and 2.5% zinc and 0.5% tin)

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Wonder how many medals/trophies the people saying if it's not gold you're a loser have won

I can't answer for the rest here, but I know how many I have.

It's not as many as Michael Phelps

Interestingly, Phelps might owe as much as $55k by the time he returns to the US...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-37099066"

I'd happily pay $50k tax if I was getting paid £2M.

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By *iamondjoeMan
over a year ago

Glastonbury


"Wonder how many medals/trophies the people saying if it's not gold you're a loser have won

I can't answer for the rest here, but I know how many I have.

It's not as many as Michael Phelps

Interestingly, Phelps might owe as much as $55k by the time he returns to the US...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-37099066

I'd happily pay $50k tax if I was getting paid £2M. "

The sums are wrong - he gets taxed at 39.6% once earnings are over £2m

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Did the wrong currency sign but w/e.

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By *its_n_piecesCouple
over a year ago


"Wonder how many medals/trophies the people saying if it's not gold you're a loser have won

I can't answer for the rest here, but I know how many I have.

It's not as many as Michael Phelps

Interestingly, Phelps might owe as much as $55k by the time he returns to the US...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-37099066"

with his annual earnings i'm sure he'll piss that out before he has his orange juice for breakfast

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

If I won bronze I would be happy. Third best out of the world's top athletes is an achievement I would be more than happy with.

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By *iamondjoeMan
over a year ago

Glastonbury


"Did the wrong currency sign but w/e."

I compounded the error

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By *ce WingerMan
over a year ago

P.O. Box DE1 0NQ


"19 Germany $19,500

20 United Kingdom no cash prized awarded by Britain’s Olympic Committee"

Wah hey, we lost to the krauts again

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By *iamondjoeMan
over a year ago

Glastonbury


"19 Germany $19,500

20 United Kingdom no cash prized awarded by Britain’s Olympic Committee

Wah hey, we lost to the krauts again "

Interesting, that, isn't it?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I can imagine that, to an emotionally underdeveloped looser sitting at his pc in his bedroom in sweat soaked y-fronts, saying a silver medal from the Olympics is "first looser" makes a welcome change from arranging meets on Fab he never intends to keep.

All those that make it to an Olympic final deserve serious respect in my book.

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By *ce WingerMan
over a year ago

P.O. Box DE1 0NQ


"19 Germany $19,500

20 United Kingdom no cash prized awarded by Britain’s Olympic Committee

Wah hey, we lost to the krauts again

Interesting, that, isn't it? "

I'm in the mood for a penalty shoot out

I know you don't like football Joe, but it's the best I can come up with atm

Suss me out if you can

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

anyone who even makes it olympics cometitive level is a winner really.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

*competitive level

probably is the wrong word and spelt wrong anyway.

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"Qualifying for the Olympics is an achievement.

Winning silver if your ability and expectation is gold is a disappointment.

Winning bronze if just qualification was your goal is an amazing victory.

It's all about perception which is why there's no right or wrong answer to this question. "

See i don't agree with this because you don't go to the Olympics to represent your goals. You go there to represent your country.

If you don't have the goal to win gold then your place / funding etc should go to someone else from your country that does.

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By *uddlybear2015Man
over a year ago

BEDFORD


"So some athletes have criticised others for celebrating bronze medals "as if they were Gold" ones.

Is this part of a culture that robs athletes of the ruthlessness to push themselves for Gold?

Is this a wider cultural thing, England football never look disappointed with a draw.

The Chinese media refer to getting a silver medal as "losing a gold"... "

Any medal in the olympics is an achievment,a moment to celebrate.the chinese attitude mirrors the old soviet way,and we know how that works.

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"anyone who even makes it olympics cometitive level is a winner really."

Well that's a nice summary of the British culture, but the question is whether that culture robs athletes of the ruthlessness to push themselves for Gold?

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"So some athletes have criticised others for celebrating bronze medals "as if they were Gold" ones.

Is this part of a culture that robs athletes of the ruthlessness to push themselves for Gold?

Is this a wider cultural thing, England football never look disappointed with a draw.

The Chinese media refer to getting a silver medal as "losing a gold"...

Any medal in the olympics is an achievment,a moment to celebrate.the chinese attitude mirrors the old soviet way,and we know how that works. "

I can't speak for all Americans but I believe their general attitude is pretty similar

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

The day I start caring who gets a gold medal in the olympics, never mind a bronze, is the day I have to seriously re-evaluate my priorities

If I played any sport on a seriously competitive level then I would see a clear difference between gold and bronze. That's just the way it is. From my seat on the couch, I can appreciate that bronze is an achievement. From the podium? There's a big difference.

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By *obbytupperMan
over a year ago

Menston near Ilkley

I was at the Ebor Race Festival yesterday. It was Ladies Day and the had a competition for the best outfit.

You should have seen the strop the girl who came Third threw. It was comical to watch, she must have been a proper little madam when she was a child.

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"The day I start caring who gets a gold medal in the olympics, never mind a bronze, is the day I have to seriously re-evaluate my priorities

If I played any sport on a seriously competitive level then I would see a clear difference between gold and bronze. That's just the way it is. From my seat on the couch, I can appreciate that bronze is an achievement. From the podium? There's a big difference. "

Do you think American culture is closer to Britain's "you're already a winner once you get to Rio" or China's "the silver medal is a lost gold"?

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"I can imagine that, to an emotionally underdeveloped looser sitting at his pc in his bedroom in sweat soaked y-fronts, saying a silver medal from the Olympics is "first looser" makes a welcome change from arranging meets on Fab he never intends to keep.

All those that make it to an Olympic final deserve serious respect in my book. "

I think you are conflating things. China is not saying silver doesn't deserve respect. They are simply saying that everyone should target gold, whether they achieve it or not is another thing.

Also, if you don't hit gold, don't throw your hands up in the air screaming and crying in celebration like you did.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"The day I start caring who gets a gold medal in the olympics, never mind a bronze, is the day I have to seriously re-evaluate my priorities

If I played any sport on a seriously competitive level then I would see a clear difference between gold and bronze. That's just the way it is. From my seat on the couch, I can appreciate that bronze is an achievement. From the podium? There's a big difference.

Do you think American culture is closer to Britain's "you're already a winner once you get to Rio" or China's "the silver medal is a lost gold"? "

Somewhere between the two. In the US you only hear about gold medal winners, really. But you aren't shitted on for only getting silver. You just kind of don't matter. If that makes sense?

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"The day I start caring who gets a gold medal in the olympics, never mind a bronze, is the day I have to seriously re-evaluate my priorities

If I played any sport on a seriously competitive level then I would see a clear difference between gold and bronze. That's just the way it is. From my seat on the couch, I can appreciate that bronze is an achievement. From the podium? There's a big difference.

Do you think American culture is closer to Britain's "you're already a winner once you get to Rio" or China's "the silver medal is a lost gold"?

Somewhere between the two. In the US you only hear about gold medal winners, really. But you aren't shitted on for only getting silver. You just kind of don't matter. If that makes sense?"

Spioler alert coming up.

I tended to associate Americans with more of a Tom Brady 'win at all costs' mentality. But then I remembered they made an awesome film about a high school football team who came second in a texas bowl (Friday Night Lights) so I guess I can see "somewhere in between the two".

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"Wonder how many medals/trophies the people saying if it's not gold you're a loser have won "

They are not saying they are a loser. Just that they lost the gold. It's an implied assumption that everyone should have the same goal.

It's also a question of logic, as defined by a culture, so how many medals a person has won isn't really relevant. Just as nobody finds it strange that there are people here are stating their preference for the British culture and yet they are not Olympic athletes.

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By *oodmessMan
over a year ago

yumsville

The 45kg silver medalist in the wrestling was smash disappointed. She lost to Japan. She had won silver in the previous 3 Olympics and was on for gold if she had held out for another 12 seconds or something. The Japanese woman beat her in the final few seconds and was in tears with the win. The Kazakhstani runner up couldn't even lift her medal never mind look at the camera for photos, she just wanted to get off the podium and leave. Couldn't blame her - she was gutted.

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By *oodmessMan
over a year ago

yumsville

(May have been Azerbaijan, couldn't say)

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"The 45kg silver medalist in the wrestling was smash disappointed. She lost to Japan. She had won silver in the previous 3 Olympics and was on for gold if she had held out for another 12 seconds or something. The Japanese woman beat her in the final few seconds and was in tears with the win. The Kazakhstani runner up couldn't even lift her medal never mind look at the camera for photos, she just wanted to get off the podium and leave. Couldn't blame her - she was gutted. "

Ooh I'll try and watch that one on YouTube. I'm an MMA fan and I'd say that most fights between well matched people are won by those who wanted it more. It takes a level of desire to win in the final seconds that most people don't have.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"If I won bronze I would be happy. Third best out of the world's top athletes is an achievement I would be more than happy with. "

But would you? You would be happy now

But imagine you have sacrificed everything friends family a social life to train 6 hours a day every day since you were 10 never partied not been able to live the life all your mates have, all to come 3Rd? Would you really be happy? I'd be fucking pissed off,

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"anyone who even makes it olympics competitive level is a winner really.

Well that's a nice summary of the British culture, but the question is whether that culture robs athletes of the ruthlessness to push themselves for Gold?"

yes probably it does, then again i never had that competitive streak in the first place.

i think being more than good enough is enough.

if you know me then you'll know i don't really understand competitiveness and why people put themselves on a par with their countries best people when they haven't acheived that level themselves personally, ame for football teams and anything like that.

if you're really celebrating your country then you'd be proud to have it competing and trying it's best.

obviously it's great to see people win but it's not the be all and end all if you've made a lot of effort and trained and tried your best, which is already higher than billions of other people around the world as it is.

to push your country to look the most physically better than the rest of the world is stupid also. there are many people, who from lack of opportunity, will never get to show how great they are as physical specimens.

it's just a fucked up version of eugenics. most sport and beauty standards are.

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"anyone who even makes it olympics competitive level is a winner really.

Well that's a nice summary of the British culture, but the question is whether that culture robs athletes of the ruthlessness to push themselves for Gold?

yes probably it does, then again i never had that competitive streak in the first place.

i think being more than good enough is enough.

if you know me then you'll know i don't really understand competitiveness and why people put themselves on a par with their countries best people when they haven't acheived that level themselves personally, ame for football teams and anything like that.

if you're really celebrating your country then you'd be proud to have it competing and trying it's best.

obviously it's great to see people win but it's not the be all and end all if you've made a lot of effort and trained and tried your best, which is already higher than billions of other people around the world as it is.

to push your country to look the most physically better than the rest of the world is stupid also. there are many people, who from lack of opportunity, will never get to show how great they are as physical specimens.

it's just a fucked up version of eugenics. most sport and beauty standards are."

That's an interesting answer, thanks for posting it

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"That's because China teach kids that second place is really just the first loser.

Here the kids get taught its not winning its taking part that counts.

So which one is correct in your opinion?

I cage fight....the last thing you wanna do there is come second.

China maybe a little regimental in there training camps, in this country it would be child cruelty. "

Everybody ain't gonna Win Gold all People can do is Their Best and Sometimes Personal Best's and Being Chosen to Compete in the Olympics makes makes Every Sports Person Winner's .

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By *ce WingerMan
over a year ago

P.O. Box DE1 0NQ

You train for a few years and do the best that you can. That is what the Olympic spirit is all about. I hope

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By *oodmessMan
over a year ago

yumsville


"The 45kg silver medalist in the wrestling was smash disappointed. She lost to Japan. She had won silver in the previous 3 Olympics and was on for gold if she had held out for another 12 seconds or something. The Japanese woman beat her in the final few seconds and was in tears with the win. The Kazakhstani runner up couldn't even lift her medal never mind look at the camera for photos, she just wanted to get off the podium and leave. Couldn't blame her - she was gutted.

Ooh I'll try and watch that one on YouTube. I'm an MMA fan and I'd say that most fights between well matched people are won by those who wanted it more. It takes a level of desire to win in the final seconds that most people don't have. "

The award was probably the best of the Olympics. She should get a medal just for that. She carried her coach on her shoulders and wrestled him too. Meant so much to both of them.

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By *aulusMan
over a year ago

Chester


"I can imagine that, to an emotionally underdeveloped looser sitting at his pc in his bedroom in sweat soaked y-fronts, saying a silver medal from the Olympics is "first looser" makes a welcome change from arranging meets on Fab he never intends to keep.

All those that make it to an Olympic final deserve serious respect in my book. "

This is spot on! I actually met a 2 time gold medalist (through a school thing and sport training), alhtough she only won her 2nd one last night!! and she is awesome and never stops training and she always say anybody getting to the olympics is already a major winner!

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By *oodmessMan
over a year ago

yumsville

Dare I say, the Netherlands coach after losing on penalties to the womens GB hockey team!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"Dare I say, the Netherlands coach after losing on penalties to the womens GB hockey team!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

I was thinking of the Brazilian rower with his bronze. What a muppet.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

There is only 1 winner and second place is the first loser

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By *ce WingerMan
over a year ago

P.O. Box DE1 0NQ


"There is only 1 winner and second place is the first loser"

Justin Gatlin may not agree with you on that one

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"There is only 1 winner and second place is the first loser

Justin Gatlin may not agree with you on that one "

He is a cheating piece of shit

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago

[Removed by poster at 20/08/16 03:25:50]

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"There is only 1 winner and second place is the first loser

Justin Gatlin may not agree with you on that one

He is a cheating piece of shit"

Basic logic will tell you that when you have two gifted athletes and one uses steroids, but didn't win - the guy who did is definitely juicing

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By *ce WingerMan
over a year ago

P.O. Box DE1 0NQ


"There is only 1 winner and second place is the first loser

Justin Gatlin may not agree with you on that one

He is a cheating piece of shit"

I agree with your sentiments, but he has served his time and is still second best.

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By * Busty HotwifeCouple
over a year ago

Bradford


"So some athletes have criticised others for celebrating bronze medals "as if they were Gold" ones.

Is this part of a culture that robs athletes of the ruthlessness to push themselves for Gold?

Is this a wider cultural thing, England football never look disappointed with a draw.

The Chinese media refer to getting a silver medal as "losing a gold"... "

How can you criticise someone for being 3rd best in the world!? Seems to me that to do so shows a poor attitude and a hint of jealousy as I doubt if anyone winning gold or silver would criticise 3rd place.

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"So some athletes have criticised others for celebrating bronze medals "as if they were Gold" ones.

Is this part of a culture that robs athletes of the ruthlessness to push themselves for Gold?

Is this a wider cultural thing, England football never look disappointed with a draw.

The Chinese media refer to getting a silver medal as "losing a gold"...

How can you criticise someone for being 3rd best in the world!? Seems to me that to do so shows a poor attitude and a hint of jealousy as I doubt if anyone winning gold or silver would criticise 3rd place.

"

It's not a criticism of the achievement itself, it's acknowledgment that Gold should be the goal for everyone. A distinction that is going straight over a lot of people's heads here.

Think of it like this, the Chinese would say "well done on your silver, you are clearly very close to achieving Gold in future, you have a lot of achievement to build upon from this" whilst the Brazilian rower is off doing a victory lap for his Bronze because he's already satisfied that this is the greatest moment of his life.

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"So some athletes have criticised others for celebrating bronze medals "as if they were Gold" ones.

Is this part of a culture that robs athletes of the ruthlessness to push themselves for Gold?

Is this a wider cultural thing, England football never look disappointed with a draw.

The Chinese media refer to getting a silver medal as "losing a gold"...

How can you criticise someone for being 3rd best in the world!? Seems to me that to do so shows a poor attitude and a hint of jealousy as I doubt if anyone winning gold or silver would criticise 3rd place.

"

Ps: Olympic athletes are not necessarily the best in the world. Maybe for sprinting they are but absolutely not for boxing, rugby, football and others.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Did you see Lutalo Muhammad when he won the silver? He was totally gutted. I don't think that British athletes do aspire for less than gold, but I think the audiences watching will celebrate any medal.

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By *its_n_piecesCouple
over a year ago

eddie the eagle springs to mind here

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"Did you see Lutalo Muhammad when he won the silver? He was totally gutted. I don't think that British athletes do aspire for less than gold, but I think the audiences watching will celebrate any medal. "

So is it your opinion that this culture doesn't "robs athletes of the ruthlessness to push themselves for Gold?" Or that athletes like Lutalo Muhammad are immune from the culture and self motivated anyway?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"I can imagine that, to an emotionally underdeveloped looser sitting at his pc in his bedroom in sweat soaked y-fronts, saying a silver medal from the Olympics is "first looser" makes a welcome change from arranging meets on Fab he never intends to keep.

All those that make it to an Olympic final deserve serious respect in my book. "

This.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Did you see Lutalo Muhammad when he won the silver? He was totally gutted. I don't think that British athletes do aspire for less than gold, but I think the audiences watching will celebrate any medal.

So is it your opinion that this culture doesn't "robs athletes of the ruthlessness to push themselves for Gold?" Or that athletes like Lutalo Muhammad are immune from the culture and self motivated anyway?"

Bit of both. I think people who have got to that stage of their chosen sport have the self motivation and ruthlessness needed. I'm not convinced that having more of the American or Chinese attitude in the country as a whole would make much difference.

I've seen loads of interviews just after the event with athletes who've just got silver or bronze or missed out by a whisker. They've all looked incredibly disappointed but like they didn't want to be seen as a sore loser and were trying to take positives from the situation. It's a better balance, in my opinion, than the win at all costs, you're a failure if you get anything less than gold approach.

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"Did you see Lutalo Muhammad when he won the silver? He was totally gutted. I don't think that British athletes do aspire for less than gold, but I think the audiences watching will celebrate any medal.

So is it your opinion that this culture doesn't "robs athletes of the ruthlessness to push themselves for Gold?" Or that athletes like Lutalo Muhammad are immune from the culture and self motivated anyway?

Bit of both. I think people who have got to that stage of their chosen sport have the self motivation and ruthlessness needed. I'm not convinced that having more of the American or Chinese attitude in the country as a whole would make much difference.

I've seen loads of interviews just after the event with athletes who've just got silver or bronze or missed out by a whisker. They've all looked incredibly disappointed but like they didn't want to be seen as a sore loser and were trying to take positives from the situation. It's a better balance, in my opinion, than the win at all costs, you're a failure if you get anything less than gold approach."

Just to be clear, the Chinese attitude is not that someone winning silver or bronze is a failure. There's plenty of middle ground between champion and failures. But what they are saying is that you shouldn't be satisfied with a silver and you should always set Gold as your goal.

If, as the Brazilian rower did, you start waving your dick in circles over a bronze then you are implicitly violating that belief and it would be frowned upon. They would not label him a failure though.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Did you see Lutalo Muhammad when he won the silver? He was totally gutted. I don't think that British athletes do aspire for less than gold, but I think the audiences watching will celebrate any medal.

So is it your opinion that this culture doesn't "robs athletes of the ruthlessness to push themselves for Gold?" Or that athletes like Lutalo Muhammad are immune from the culture and self motivated anyway?

Bit of both. I think people who have got to that stage of their chosen sport have the self motivation and ruthlessness needed. I'm not convinced that having more of the American or Chinese attitude in the country as a whole would make much difference.

I've seen loads of interviews just after the event with athletes who've just got silver or bronze or missed out by a whisker. They've all looked incredibly disappointed but like they didn't want to be seen as a sore loser and were trying to take positives from the situation. It's a better balance, in my opinion, than the win at all costs, you're a failure if you get anything less than gold approach.

Just to be clear, the Chinese attitude is not that someone winning silver or bronze is a failure. There's plenty of middle ground between champion and failures. But what they are saying is that you shouldn't be satisfied with a silver and you should always set Gold as your goal.

If, as the Brazilian rower did, you start waving your dick in circles over a bronze then you are implicitly violating that belief and it would be frowned upon. They would not label him a failure though. "

I think Gold is always the ultimate goal, but I don't think anyone should be frowned upon for being happy with bronze if it was unexpected or a new personal best or something. Plus the Brazilian rower being on home turf was probably also playing up to the crowd etc.

If I was expecting an A and got a B I'd be devastated. If I was expecting a C and got a B I'd celebrate that (but also wonder whether I couldn't have done a little bit more for an A).

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By *iss_tressWoman
over a year ago

London


"So some athletes have criticised others for celebrating bronze medals "as if they were Gold" ones.

Is this part of a culture that robs athletes of the ruthlessness to push themselves for Gold?

Is this a wider cultural thing, England football never look disappointed with a draw.

The Chinese media refer to getting a silver medal as "losing a gold"... "

If I was Usain Bolt I'd weep at a bronze, if I were Adam Gemili I'd be doing laps of honour until they dragged me off I'd be so estatic.

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By *iamondjoeMan
over a year ago

Glastonbury


"Just to be clear, the Chinese attitude is not that someone winning silver or bronze is a failure. There's plenty of middle ground between champion and failures. But what they are saying is that you shouldn't be satisfied with a silver and you should always set Gold as your goal. "

Correct.

You could say the same about Americans saying that 'anything less than gold is a failure'...

But.

How will the Chinese feel *if* Team GB™ pip them to 2nd place?

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"Just to be clear, the Chinese attitude is not that someone winning silver or bronze is a failure. There's plenty of middle ground between champion and failures. But what they are saying is that you shouldn't be satisfied with a silver and you should always set Gold as your goal.

Correct.

You could say the same about Americans saying that 'anything less than gold is a failure'...

But.

How will the Chinese feel *if* Team GB™ pip them to 2nd place?"

Officially, fucked off, but unofficially there's quite a backlash amongst every day Chinese people against the culture. In particular, younger people feel too much pressure is put on them by the establishments and actually a swimmer called Fu has become a celebrity for showing her human side rather than sticking to the official script.

That said, it'll be a long time before they start banning sports days and dishing out participation trophies.

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"So some athletes have criticised others for celebrating bronze medals "as if they were Gold" ones.

Is this part of a culture that robs athletes of the ruthlessness to push themselves for Gold?

Is this a wider cultural thing, England football never look disappointed with a draw.

The Chinese media refer to getting a silver medal as "losing a gold"...

If I was Usain Bolt I'd weep at a bronze, if I were Adam Gemili I'd be doing laps of honour until they dragged me off I'd be so estatic. "

But this is also part of it. China feel that they have the resources and talent to get Gold. They don't judge all other countries by this standard.

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"Did you see Lutalo Muhammad when he won the silver? He was totally gutted. I don't think that British athletes do aspire for less than gold, but I think the audiences watching will celebrate any medal. "

OK I've just seen it now. I think it actually supports the point I was making, he's on the back foot playing defensively because he doesn't have the ruthless streak. When you lose in the final seconds it's usually because the other person wanted it more than you.

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By *orkiecplCouple
over a year ago

York


"It's all relative, I guess. Like you say a non-league team reaching the fourth round of the cup is a great achievement. A second division team reaching the semis would be noteworthy. But overall I do feel in Britain we celebrate mediocrity too readily. Ultimately we should all want to be the best we can be. America and Australia want and expect that. Not sure we do though "

Remind us where are Australia in medals table ?? we UK-GB are 2nd enough said

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

It must be a terrible culture - imagine how we'd do if we only pushed our kids harder

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