so what happens if you win silver at the Olympics - possible spoilers ;)

You get a whole article written about how you didn't win gold.

Seriously, am I the last person on earth who thinks a silver medal at the Olympics is an amazing accomplishment?

I'm a very competitive person when it comes to sports generally -- but I really think these athletes deserved a little more credit, rather than having everyone harp on their mistakes.

Athletes have good and bad days, and if a "bad" day = a silver medal, then I think you didn't have such a bad day after all...

ETA -- I GET that the writer is trying to make it more dramatic, like the showdown between the Chinese and the Americans... and I get that the Americans would have been happier with gold. BUT... they just won a silver medal at the OLYMPICS. I think it's something to celebrate, not get all upset about...

Message edited 8/13/2008 10:06:51 AM.

Re: so what happens if you win silver at the Olympics - possible spoilers ;)

I agree with you!!

My god...give the girls a break! Silver is FANTASTIC! and they only lost by 2 points....not bad in my book!!

Re: so what happens if you win silver at the Olympics - possible spoilers ;)

I agree...those girls did a phenomenal job, and as Alicia Sacramone said, you have good days and bad days...

I can only imagine the pressure these girls are under (From themselves and others) and it bothers me to see articles like this where they are basically put down for having "failed." They still won silver medals, people?!?!?!?!?!

Re: so what happens if you win silver at the Olympics - possible spoilers ;)

I completely agree with you.

I was watching The Today Show and Matt was inviewing the girls and asked one of them about mistakes that happened. And if that's when they knew the gold was out of their reach!

I was like DAMN, why not concentrate on how one of the girls performed with a broken bone in a foot and they STILL placed!

Re: so what happens if you win silver at the Olympics - possible spoilers ;)

I completely agree. I read that article this morning and I was so annoyed at the tone

Re: so what happens if you win silver at the Olympics - possible spoilers ;)

I totally agree.

I'm also done with the media zooming their cameras right into the faces of these players. Give them some room, I don't need to see every single flinch of the eye when they get off the beam!

Or, interviewing them before they even have a chance to take a breath. It really bothers me.

I watched the whole thing last night and it was hard to beat. They did their best and yes, it could have been better...but they won the silver and I'm proud of them.

Re: so what happens if you win silver at the Olympics - possible spoilers ;)

I think any medal won in the Olympics is an honor. So many athletes compete just to make the team and only a few are selected. Then to make the team and come home with a medal regardless Gold, Silver, Bronze, it's a medal you won in the Olympics.

I think it's great the girls gave it all they got and I am sure they had a tremendous amount of pressure on them, plus nerves, time difference, etc and they walked away with a Silver Medal. That is a tremendous accomplishment.

I understand the need for perfection but they were all amazing. They made those routines look so simple and they are far from simple.

Re: so what happens if you win silver at the Olympics - possible spoilers ;)

Thanks, I was starting to wonder if I was the only one who thought that winning silver was WINNING SILVER, not losing gold.

Think about it - these are (by and large) high school aged kids performing at the top level of their sport in front of the entire world. I think 2nd place is pretty phenomenal.

In some ways, I'm SURE they're bummed they didn't win, but should that really be the focus when they just won a silver medal?

Re: so what happens if you win silver at the Olympics - possible spoilers ;)

Oh, and I also think that the girls deserve tremendous credit for their grace under pressure and for how they handle themselves so maturely and calmly with the media.

Re: so what happens if you win silver at the Olympics - possible spoilers ;)

I felt so bad for Alicia Sacramone... the disappointment on her face last night made me want to cry.

I also think silver is GREAT! And they still have the individual competitions left...

Re: so what happens if you win silver at the Olympics - possible spoilers ;)

Posted by Bobfan24

I completely agree. I read that article this morning and I was so annoyed at the tone

Re: so what happens if you win silver at the Olympics - possible spoilers ;)

I agree 100%! These girls are amazingly talented and poised, and they deserve praise for their achievements. They won silver - on that day, they were the 2nd best team of gymnasts in the WORLD. Pretty amazing, if you ask me!

Re: so what happens if you win silver at the Olympics - possible spoilers ;)

How come the men winning Bronze was aweseme & the women winning silver is a dissapointemnt?


China dominates in both competitions--we knew this. Yes, the American women ahd a more of a shot than the men did, but wasn't like China won only because the US women screwed up.

The damn commentators kept saying how amazing it was that the men won bronze, despite Paul & Morgan Hamm being injured & having to use 2 out of the 3 alternates, making the team all atheletes who had never been to the Olympics before. Allo f the Women ere 1st timers at the olympics , too. Chellsie Memmel & Samatha Peszeck were also injured. And while they were still there, they could only compete on 1 event.

And Alicia Sacramone wasn't the only one who made mistakes. Yes, she made the bigestes mistakes, but ALL 3 women went out of bounds on the floor excercise, even precious Shawn Johnson.

Message edited 8/13/2008 5:03:33 PM.

Re: so what happens if you win silver at the Olympics - possible spoilers ;)

What really annoys me is the commentators and media harp all over their flaws. If the gymnist steps out of bounds with one foot or even both they replay it 10 times and say how they are going to be deducted points.

I think these girls are amazing athletes and they have more maturity in their little bodies then most adults I know.

Re: so what happens if you win silver at the Olympics - possible spoilers ;)

Didn't you know? Second place is just first loser

Heck, I think it's an accomplishment to even compete in the Olympics. Maybe I'm just an underachiever

Re: so what happens if you win silver at the Olympics - possible spoilers ;)

i agree with you. I'm sure Alicia will feel horrible about this for a long time to come even though we all know in our hearts that her atleticism is incredible.

But it all comes down to expectations.

I think we need to probably understand that these girls are groomed to be competitors. SILVER is wonderful but they are the reigning world champions. Gold was expected or at least it was supposed to be a tight race. The media should not rub salt on the wound at all BUT i do think that they themselves are dissapointed with silver. BUT, that is something only they have any right to say and deal with. I don't think anyone has the right to say how much of a dissapointment they were. That's sad. These girls have worked hard and sacrificed so much to make USA gymnastics what it is today.

And I don't think we can 100% say that the only reason China won was because the US messed up. They had an incredible team this year. Controversial. But incredible. And I think that they were certainly gold medal worthy just as the US team was. It all depends on the day. The one performance. And then the judging.

As far as the mens team goes, it was incredible for them to take the bronze. Again, expectations. No one expected them to medal. They had a young team. Using many alternates. The two veterans dropped out just about last minute. Some could say it was chaotic. And for them to come out with bronze was amazing.

Re: so what happens if you win silver at the Olympics - possible spoilers ;)

Posted by Kara

Thanks, I was starting to wonder if I was the only one who thought that winning silver was WINNING SILVER, not losing gold.

Re: so what happens if you win silver at the Olympics - possible spoilers ;)

I completely agree. When I was watching the news this morning I was thinking how sad it was she makes this major accomplishment and all everyone does is tear her down.

Too much emphasis on the gold.....especially b/c during the opening ceremonies the commentators were speaking about for so many athletes, the opening games is the highlight of the olympics for them, b/c really, there is no chance for a medal at all. WHen did it become about only getting gold and not participating and the fact you made it?

Re: so what happens if you win silver at the Olympics - possible spoilers ;)

I thought the commentators were OVER THE TOP last night. When she fell again on said--this is a disaster of Epic proportions.

Re: so what happens if you win silver at the Olympics - possible spoilers ;)

i think they did a great job last night... So they made mistakes they are human.. and they won the silver....

Re: so what happens if you win silver at the Olympics - possible spoilers ;)

Totally agree with you girls. You know, that Alicia girl goes to Brown, seems to have a nice family from thatpiece they did on her, & is a medal winning olympic athlete--by age 20. All of these reporters and commentators should take a better look at themselves and think about who should be feeling sorry for whom.
I hope she reads more commentary like ours and less of what's been written....

Re: so what happens if you win silver at the Olympics - possible spoilers ;)

I am a huge gymnastics fan. I've been watching since 1992. I agree that winning silver is a great accomplishment. Poor Alicia. Had Chellise not been injured she would have been on beam. China opened the door with their mistakes on beam and the US were not able to capitalize so I think that made them feel worse. Had both teams hit and China won it would be a different story and feeling for the girls.

I hope Alicia can medal during vault finals poor girl

Re: so what happens if you win silver at the Olympics - possible spoilers ;)

Re: so what happens if you win silver at the Olympics - possible spoilers ;)

I really wish the media would leave this poor girl alone.

Re: so what happens if you win silver at the Olympics - possible spoilers ;)

yes... i agree it is a huge accomplishment. and it's even bigger when you realize that they were the ONLY team that was essentially competing with only 3 girls and not 6.

Sam Peszcek was injured and could compete in nothing.
Chellsie Memmel was injured and ONLY did bars
Bridget Sloan did only vault.

Shawn, Nastia and Alicia did just about everything else and they are giving them slack about not getting a gold. give me a break!

Message edited 8/19/2008 12:09:01 AM.