Respect and sports
After watching an amazing comeback by U.S. gymnast Paul Hamm last night, I couldn't help but wish that the thrill of victory did not have to be tied to the agony of defeat. I've heard the claim that reality shows are all about exploiting people's pain, but I would argue that sports do this to an even greater degree.
Why do we interview the losers? Why make comments like "Wow, Bob, that landing is going to haunt him for the rest of his life"? Is this really necessary? Athletes realize when they mess up; they realize when they have lost. Do they really need it rubbed in? Why not interview the winner(s) and give the loser(s) some respect and some privacy?