Karma: 945575

Maroney

McKayla Maroney just lost the gold medal (can't say she won the silver cuz she was the odds-on favorite) in the vault event. She didn't seem nervous to me...more arrogant and icy.
She may be the "best" in the world (except today), but one thing she ISN'T is a gracious loser. I'm embarrassed she represents the USA.

Any thoughts on "how to lose" (it happens to almost everyone once in a while)
Now, here comes Pistorius in the 400m. (Came in last with 46.54; any one of us think (s)he can beat that?) Gotta wonder who is more "handicapped".

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+4 Views: 1056 Answers: 8 Posted: 11 years ago

8 Answers

Tommyh

Karma: 609115

Don't be embarrassed.Just think of Michael Phelps.What a legend & what a nice guy.

11 years ago. Rating: 14
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Bob/PKB

Yeah, pretty cool guy. Love that big smile.

commented 11 years ago

Ann

Karma: 477486

Bob, she expected to win. It was a great disappointment to her, that she did not. Her reaction was that of schock and it showed.

11 years ago. Rating: 14
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Bob/PKB

Yes, but...to NOT congratulate the winner?

commented 11 years ago

digger

Karma: 221155

I'm ok with it. These guys train for years for this moment and are extremely competitive. It's all about personal expectations. Whenever you see a Bronze medal winner jump for joy, it's because they knew going into the event that they had no chance of finishing first. They know the pecking order better than we do. In time, she'll accept it and get over it but the mountain of sponsorship money that awaits the gold winner is no longer there.

11 years ago. Rating: 13
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Ducky

Karma: 1032535

I know how she feels. Every time I step up to my computer to answer questions on akaQA, I feel like a winner. Then, before long, someone slaps me down and I'm defeated! It's a cruel world. :(

11 years ago. Rating: 12
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dowsa

"WHO .Would do that to you dear ducky ?

commented 11 years ago

Ducky

somebody :((

commented 11 years ago

Shootah

Karma: 243495

The face some people present to the world during stressfull times, isn't always representative of the underlying emotions within. People process what they are experiencing differently, perhaps more in line with their personality type. I don't think that it's not that they don't feel the disappointment of immediate failure, but how they cope with it, manifests itself differently in physically observable ways to another person observing it.

11 years ago. Rating: 10
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Ducky

For sure.

commented 11 years ago

Bob/PKB

Actions. Her actions were what disappointed me. The gold medal winner went to HER; c'mon. If you kid behaved like that???

commented 11 years ago

Flip

Karma: 178071

Unless I missed something other than her unsmiling attitude (I turned the tv off and went to sleep), I thought it was more of disgust with her own performance than arrogance toward others. As Ann said, she and most everyone else expected her to win. Sure, she could have been more gracious, but..... Nothing to be embarrassed about.

11 years ago. Rating: 10
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Ducky

There is a lot of pressure on these athletes and a lot of critcism if they don't come up to the expectations of others. (That can't be much fun.) Also, they seem to be considered by some of their critics, to be "losers", if they ONLY get a bronze!

commented 11 years ago

Bob/PKB

Watch the whole vault competition, people. There is more to being a champion athlete than a gold medal.

commented 11 years ago

Bob/PKB

No, I don't think I'm going to lighten up. I have not seen ANY other athlete behave with such poor sportsmanship. The most important part of being a winner is being a gracious loser.
I'm fine to agree to disagree on this one, so let it go. I'm pretty sure no one here is going to change my mind on this. I coached a lot of teams and compete many times each month; acknowledging another's accomplishment is mandatory, not an option.
Perhaps her coaches should have gently reminded her to congratulate the winner.
Lastly, she's not "just a kid". Is someone treating her like one or just allowing her to act like one?

commented 11 years ago

ed shank

Karma: 316611

Losing is indeed a humbling experience. Although I've managed to clutter my home with a few trophies the past thirty five years, I lose more times than win. It's a labor of love. It's fun and the rush is habit forming. I'm glad the US is top dog in the Olympics. I, however find the games uninteresting and haven't watched any of them.

11 years ago. Rating: 8
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Bob/PKB

Where have you been!!!???

commented 11 years ago

ed shank

Very busy with doctors and tests again. Spent some time in Florida, ten days. Wife loved it, I hated it. I suggested she stay there for several weeks and then we'll talk about it. She still has six weeks vacation time, and I think she will actually spend a month down there. Good to see your smiling face again Bob.

commented 11 years ago

Bob/PKB

I hope the test results were what we all wanted to hear and the Mrs. gets her fill of sunshine and gets home safely. Ten days would be enough for me, I'm sure (Florida, but not Hawaii). I'm looking forward to seeing new q's and a's from you. It's not the same without you. Eggplant has been missing for too long, too.

commented 11 years ago

ed shank

Hope all is good with Eggy. Taking one day at a time. Whether the news is good or bad, it's out of my hands. Hope the wife spends some time in Fla. I need a little time alone. She has been so weird since this health issue came into our lives. I actually caught her standing next to me making sure I was still breathing, several times. I promised her I won't die in my recliner.

commented 11 years ago

Bob/PKB

I sympathize with your wife. I'd probably do the same thing, and then some. :(

commented 11 years ago

gymnast