Losing like a Winner
Posted on Sep 7, 2016 1:08pm PDT
During my time as FIFA Medical Officer in at the Rio 2016 Olympics, I bore
witness to some incredible feats of athleticism. From competitors demolishing
long-held world records to countless athletes achieving personal best
times in their various sports and events, the Victorious Spirit was alive
and well at these Summer Olympic Games. But I would be remiss if I glossed
over the few (and it was a FEW) embarrassing (especially for the United
States) examples of what we teach our youth about being “sore losers.”
You see, the Win Within can be displayed, perhaps even shine brightest,
when you’re not actually WINNING. Let’s explore:
Ryan Lochte – One of the most talked about athletes of this year’s
games, not for his spectacular accomplishments in the swimming pool, but
for his late-night antics with fellow US Olympic team swimmers. The story
of Lochte’s fall from grace certainly doesn’t warrant repeating,
Google his name and you’ll find it. And perhaps that’s the
point. Arguably one of the most storied swimmers in Olympic history is
now a punchline, not because he did something foolish, but because he
told an outlandish lie about it that cast himself as a brazen hero when
he later admitted he was anything but. Character counts my friends, in
the pool and out. You take it with you everywhere you go.
Hope Solo – After defeat by the Swedish team at last month’s
Games, the goalkeeper of the U.S. women’s national team for soccer
called the victors “a bunch of cowards,” resulting in her
six month suspension and termination from U.S. Soccer. Again, this isn’t
the first time Solo was sanctioned for unsportsmanlike conduct. But it’s
probably one of the most notable occasions, since much of the world was
watching or in this case –reading and listening. When you live in
America and you play for the “Stars and Stripes,” it’s
important to understand your role on the world stage. Ours is a country
that many in the world would give ANYTHING to live in. Behavior like this
puts a blindingly negative light on our sports programs and our nation.
When you’re wearing a jersey for your country, your city or even
just your local team, you’re representing so much more than yourself.
Kerri Walsh Jennings – After playing their hearts out during every
round of Olympic beach volleyball competition, she and her partner April
Ross received a crushing defeat by the Brazilian team. This was a particularly
tough blow for Jennings since she returned to these Games after undergoing
multiple shoulder operations and was bound and determined to bring home
a gold medal. But here’s the difference between Jennings and the
aforementioned Team USA members – she never once badmouthed her
opponents nor did she create a spectacle of herself. Was she disappointed?
Absolutely. You could see it on her face and you could hear it in her
voice. But she maintained her dignity, sportsmanship and stellar character
when she simply said that she and her partner were “outplayed.”
With such high hopes and exhaustive efforts, the humility displayed by
Walsh-Jennings is something EVERY athlete should watch and emulate. She
lost like the winner she REALLY is – on the court and off.
The next time you find yourself in a disappointing situation, in sport
or in life, where your pride wants to get the best of you, take a moment
to consider how you’ll react. I guarantee that people are watching
and listening. How do you want to be remembered? As the one who took it
in stride like a champion or the one who whined like a brat? The choice
is all yours.