Be A Good Sport

Even I am embarrassed and ashamed of Evgeni Plushenko's behavior last night and how it continues today. His demeanor was no less than that of a petulant little boy who is used to getting his way.

The better man won. Not only in the Olympics, but also in what it means to be an Olympic athelete. It is not about technique alone. It is about civility, decency, and sportsmanship. Personally, Plushenko's behavior publicly demonstrates what I feel is wrong with many young people today. Everyone has to "feel good" about themselves. What is wrong with being second place? It should give one determination to work harder, but also be a validation of doing one's best.

Have you ever seen the Special Olympics? While the premise is that this program is for those with some kind of challenge, physical or mental, to me it demonstrates what is special about these competitors. They celebrate everyone's victory, but not against others, against themselves. Isn't that what competition should be? Us taking on ourselves?

Plushenko's actions in the past 24 hours demonstrates that he is nothing special. He is a machine, a technican, someone who can "do it", but is " not it." Shame on you, Evgeni Plushenko! You have forgotten, and worse, denigrated the Olympic creed:

"The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph, but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered, but to have fought well."