Humble Pie is for Losers

I am watching the Olympics and I am frustrated that there is this criticism of the runner from Jamaica who is outrunning the competition with – well to say ease is an understatement. But the critique is not of his athletic ability, because there is nothing they can say other than he won, but the problem that the commentators have with this runner is his display of confidence and yes arrogance. Doesn’t the winner have a right to that?

According to these experts that commentate the events, the runner should wait till he has made it across the finish line before he starts his display because acting like a winner before the race is completed is disrespectful to the other athletes. Really?

Since when does the winner have to act humble to keep from upsetting the losers? What happened to losing being your motivation to work harder and accomplish more? So now the person who has worked to accomplish their ‘Gold’ goal has to not celebrate so much or so soon cause the losers might feel bad. Are we coddling athletes now too?

We have taken this- ‘everyone is special’ thing a bit too far. Don’t get me wrong, I am not condoning abuse in any way, shape, form, or fashion. I do think something needs to be said for this celebration of those lost in the middle and the back of the pack.

It makes about as much sense to me as the gifts given to the kids that come to the birthday party so they wont be sad that it is not their birthday and that they didn’t get any presents. Really? How about – ‘It aint your birthday and when your birthday comes you get presents’. Maybe that is where this whole thing started, with the expectation that you should get something for no special reason---- oh but wait. I forgot. You are getting something because you are special, don’t worry about standing on your accomplishments cause your special even if you aren’t the winner.

I enjoy watching Usain Bolt run. He doesn’t have all of the technique down pat just yet, he is young and fresh to the sport and is doing well for a beginner. I think his natural ability and dedication to his training have given him the right to display his self appreciation. I think self confidence and self esteem are great tools, not only in sports but in life.

I wont even go into my thought on a journalist who is not and was not ever a professional athlete critiquing the action of an Olympic athlete, cause he is doing his job. I am just thinking that a man who is running the current fastest times in the world has every right to feel good about himself and to display his positive self image.