Friday, February 19, 2010

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."

7 comments:

  1. I agree, very well said! Awesome post ;)

    Hugs
    Ma

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  2. hello there! nice to meet you and what a fun blog! I agree with you whole-heartedly about the men's skating last night. I was really amazed that Plushenko would act so...he's been in elite skating so long, you would think he would understand the meaning of competition by now. I cant imagine training for so many years and that the only option being a gold medal. I agree, the best man won...I even wish Johnny Weir scored higher... (I am a former skater, and can talk about this forever, lol....)

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  3. I hadn't seen the coverage, but had seen a headline of what might have transpired. I am sorry to hear it. It leaves 'bad' tastes in people's mouths.

    BUT, I was sooooo excited to have that handsome young man from the USA win gold! He was absolutely marvelous and he surely deserved it!

    I was rooting for him, when our own Canadian Patrick Chan moved further down the line.

    Now, we'll be glued part of the time this weekend to watching the ice dancing -- one of my favourites!

    Happy Weekend!

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  4. I wasn't near the TV much yesterday so I missed a lot of it, only what was mentioned in the news.

    They interviewed a man from Russia who is claiming the Olympics are fixed because the Russians have not been winning.

    If I remember hearing at the beginning of the Olympics, they have changed the way they score the skating to make it more equal for great skating and not just the jumps.

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  5. I may not be winning but I am "fighting well" with my needles to make a neat thumb gusset. I don't need a Gold Metal one - just a better looking one! (-:

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  6. He should be glad he won any medal. That short program was a mess! Lysacek handled himself like a gentleman when asked about Plushenko's reaction.

    Jane

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Thanks for dropping in on the farm today! I enjoy your comments!

Warmly,

Matty