MrFF and I have enjoyed the Olympics much more than we expected to and are of course delighted with team GB’s array of medals.
But neither of us was impressed with British boxer Ben Whittaker who refused to wear his silver medal because he was disappointed with his performance. It was much the same when many of the England football team at the Euros presentation immediately removed their runners up medals considering them a reminder of their failure to win the final. I don’t generally watch football and I was surprised and confused to see this, a bit of research revealed that it often happens at football contests nowadays.
Well I think it’s bad sportsmanship and sets a really poor example, I hope England manager Gareth Southgate, who wore his medal, had a word with his lads afterwards and set them straight. What happened to ‘it’s the taking part that counts’?
Whittaker said he hadn’t won silver he’d lost the gold. I’m a cup half empty person myself but even I think he’s wrong and disrespectful to his fellow competitors. Only three in every event win a medal, I imagine any one of those going home empty handed would be delighted to take his place. Think of the 13 year old GB skate boarder Sky Brown winning bronze, she was rightly over the moon, would her British team mate Whittaker like to tell her she’d merely lost both silver and gold.
Speaking of children Whittaker said he didn’t want to seem like a spoilt brat, why behave like one then. I don’t know if he has children, or intends to, is he going to pretend to his kids this didn’t happen, will he share with them his ethos that life is all or nothing, winning is everything. We can’t all be top dog but we can give it our best, be proud of our achievements and gracious in defeat alternatively we can be sulky silver medalists when life doesn’t quite go the way we want.
Couldn't agree more Jenny.
ReplyDeleteI was so incensed by his behaviour. It was a disgraceful show of bad sportsmanship and he should be ashamed. Competitors would have given their eye teeth to be in his shoes. Shame on him.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you, our local Olympian has carried his bronze medal every where, and will chat and have photo's taken, today locally he is having an open day on his BMX practice 'area', anyone can bring their bike an have a go. That's the way to share your pride in your achievement.
ReplyDeleteMy views exactly Jenny
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. I also remember hearing/reading during a past Olympics that 2 of the 3 people on the podium/stand are thrilled. The 1st place because...1st place and the 3rd place, because they managed to make it to the podium. 2nd place is usually a little unhappy because there was a chance to be number 1. Not that all 2nd placers are unhappy, I should clarify.
ReplyDeleteWe rarely watch any sport on TV so the first time I saw this happen was at the final of the Euros football match. I was gobsmacked to see most of the England players remove their medals as soon as they were given them. How petulant, rude and ungrateful. Winning matters but doing your best matters much more. Earning a silver medal requires hard work and dedication and in reality in most sports the margin between the first three is very small. If I had a family member who achieved any place on the podium, even in the team, I would be so proud and very hurt if they had done this.
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