Note to the World #3
The Olympics.
I like the fact it puts all countries on the same level on field; usually not a lot of politics involved. I like rooting on the USA teams and imagining my internal "Go! Go! GO!" works on some cosmic level LOL. I can appreciate what work it takes for them to get there - exampled by the men's 4x100 relay the other night when they blew away the world record. I like getting the chills when I hear our anthem played for gold medal winners.
What I don't like is the excessive grandstanding and smacktalk by some athletes. Like the French swimmer who said they were going to smash the Americans, then they got beat by .08 of a second. You were saying?
No, I don't even like it when our athletes do it. Yes, Michael Phelps is doing phenomenally well, but when they feel the need to express their joy - deservedly so, don't get me wrong - it just irked me when he was taking his arms-out-wide stance and screaming. And the "Yes! That's what I'm talking about!" type comments. By all means, be excited, let out a whoop of joy and congratulate team-mate(s) with a clap on the back. Congratulate other athletes for a good race or competition, just don't give in to the urge to lord it over them.
This is sports, not entertainment, fans will be excited for if they do their best and earn a spot on the podium. Hell, I'm excited that they even made it to the Olympics ... it's a huge accomplishment.
Be humble, people will likely respect you more as a person.
In my opinion, after a point it's unsportsmanlike and uncalled for. You all started from the same starting point on equal footing. Play nice, don't be an arse. And don't talk smack unless you have a crystal ball showing you can prove it.
Okay, maybe France deserved it ... just a little ...
I like the fact it puts all countries on the same level on field; usually not a lot of politics involved. I like rooting on the USA teams and imagining my internal "Go! Go! GO!" works on some cosmic level LOL. I can appreciate what work it takes for them to get there - exampled by the men's 4x100 relay the other night when they blew away the world record. I like getting the chills when I hear our anthem played for gold medal winners.
What I don't like is the excessive grandstanding and smacktalk by some athletes. Like the French swimmer who said they were going to smash the Americans, then they got beat by .08 of a second. You were saying?
No, I don't even like it when our athletes do it. Yes, Michael Phelps is doing phenomenally well, but when they feel the need to express their joy - deservedly so, don't get me wrong - it just irked me when he was taking his arms-out-wide stance and screaming. And the "Yes! That's what I'm talking about!" type comments. By all means, be excited, let out a whoop of joy and congratulate team-mate(s) with a clap on the back. Congratulate other athletes for a good race or competition, just don't give in to the urge to lord it over them.
This is sports, not entertainment, fans will be excited for if they do their best and earn a spot on the podium. Hell, I'm excited that they even made it to the Olympics ... it's a huge accomplishment.
Be humble, people will likely respect you more as a person.
In my opinion, after a point it's unsportsmanlike and uncalled for. You all started from the same starting point on equal footing. Play nice, don't be an arse. And don't talk smack unless you have a crystal ball showing you can prove it.
Okay, maybe France deserved it ... just a little ...