Olympics and Appropriate Behavior

[OneFinger]

As usual, I enjoy watching the Olympics and seeing the amazing athletes. But, something really bothers me with some of the winners - their inappropriate behavior during the award ceremony.

 

For example, I was totally excited and proud to see the amazing performance of Shaun White and Scotty Lago during the snowboard competition. What awesome athletes! But I was really disgusted to see them waving while "The Star Spangaled Banner" was played. It was bad enough that they didn't stand still with their hand over their heart. But to be waving, mugging for the camera, and throwing hands signs to the audience was upsetting.

 

Evan Lysacek, during his ceremony, stood tall with his hand over his heart. I felt he showed proper respect and decorum while representing the United States.

 

http://www.etonline.com/media/photo/2010/02/139902/400_elysacek_goldmedal_100219_mstockman_96855337.jpg

 

Is it just me? Is my old age showing? Just seems to me that some of the athletes just don't seem to care or appreciate the country they are representing. It's like they only care about themselves.

[foxy]

I agree. You'd think their coaches would prepare them. Millions of people watching their moment of glory and they blow it. We are not living in a golden age.

[jackcali]

This week there was one (non-U.S.) gold medal winner who while his national anthem played stood at attention and sang along (or at least lip-synched, haha). I was very moved by that, thinking that he truly exemplified what an Olympic athlete should be. I wish our own countrymen would behave as well.

[Guest greatness]

I agree

 

Well said~~

[+ glutes]

 

For example, I was totally excited and proud to see the amazing performance of Shaun White and Scotty Lago during the snowboard competition. What awesome athletes! But I was really disgusted to see them waving while "The Star Spangaled Banner" was played. It was bad enough that they didn't stand still with their hand over their heart. But to be waving, mugging for the camera, and throwing hands signs to the audience was upsetting.

[/img]

 

Is it just me? Is my old age showing? Just seems to me that some of the athletes just don't seem to care or appreciate the country they are representing. It's like they only care about themselves.

 

From Generation X to Generation Me, welcome OneFinger.

The snowboarders lacked decorum all over, listening to a iPod while performing, or fist bumping their coaches pre-performance replete vulgar language?

[+ deej]

I was expecting to see this thread. We see it for every Olympiad.

 

Buncha grumpy old men are upset that young people IN A VICTORY CELEBRATION are celebrating instead of wearing tuxes and standing at attention.

 

Loosen up for god's sake. Attitudes like this almost make me want them to stop playing the anthems.

[OneFinger]

I was expecting to see this thread. We see it for every Olympiad.

 

Buncha grumpy old men are upset....

 

Glad I made the post and didn't disappoint you.

 

As a veteran (even when I was a YOUNG veteran), I developed an appreciation for my country. I'm not ashamed to still have and show respect for my country or for the countries of others.

 

Feel free to flame away.

[KY_TOP]

Glad I made the post and didn't disappoint you.

 

As a veteran (even when I was a YOUNG veteran), I developed an appreciation for my country. I'm not ashamed to still have and show respect for my country or for the countries of others.

 

Feel free to flame away.

 

I'm not a Vet but I completely agree with everything you said. Glad you stand up for what you believe in and being proud of your country does not make you or I grumpy.

[+ deej]

No flames and I, too, am a vet. In fact, I served in ceremonial capacities in DC. I'm well versed in protocols.

 

I'm also a realist. If it was a prayer service or a more solemn gathering I'd agree. But IT'S A VICTORY CELEBRATION.

[RickyDC]

Be A Good Sport

 

One thing I noticed during Evan's medal ceremony . . . he extended his hand to Daisuke Takahashi who won the bronze . . . Daisuke smiled and congratulated Evan.

 

Evan then turned to Pushenko and began to extend his hand . . . and Plushenko turned away to the crowd . . . it really looked like he was refusing to shake hands with Evan.

 

I was taught . . win or lose . . . you always bow to your opponent or shake their hands after a game, match, or whatever competition.

 

Why would he have hard feelings against Evan - he just skated the best he could. It was the judges who awarded points and decided the winner.

[+ deej]

That's a different kettle of fish. Plushenko is mouthing off to anyone who will listen that he should've won. (And Vladmir Putin has climbed on that bandwagon too.)

 

He was actually weak on almost all his landings and fell a little short on those pesky figure things that make up figure skating. He says he skated clean but the tape says otherwise.

 

He's behaving about as UN-sportsman-like as you can get.

[+ glutes]

I was expecting to see this thread. We see it for every Olympiad.

 

Buncha grumpy old men are upset that young people IN A VICTORY CELEBRATION are celebrating instead of wearing tuxes and standing at attention.

 

Loosen up for god's sake. Attitudes like this almost make me want them to stop playing the anthems.

 

Bullshit. The awards ceremony is just that, a ceremony. "A formal act or set of acts performed as prescribed by ritual or custom", ie. show some etiquette.

If these hotdogs want to do a VICTORY CELEBRATION, let them go take a victory lap at the bar.

[+ deej]

Write 'em a letter, Glutes. You're good at writing completely bogus complaints that get ignored.

 

DEAR ATHLETES,

 

YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE FUN. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES MAY YOU SHOW ANY ELATION AT YOUR RECENT VICTORY.

 

SINCERELY,

 

GRUMPY OLD MEN

[MsGuy]

Ecc 1:9

 

What has been is what will be and what has been done is what will be done, there is nothing new under the sun.

 

I'm recalling a certain Jr. High teacher who used to fuss at us kids for not paying proper respect to the National Anthem at football games. That would have been way back in the early 60's and in the most red part of the most red state in the union. Or would have been if they had invented the Red/Blue dichotomy back then.

 

Likely the young always look to be on a one way track to Hell to the old. Personally I suspect it's my bifocals that's to blame. Distorts my vision.

[NYTomcat]

Ok not a vet, not even a very nationalistic guy. hell Im the card carrying ACLU member. I dont mind the ipod, and I agree they are allowed to celebrate and have fun. BUT when you're standing on the podium representing your country which you have chosen to do. The modicum of repect of standing in pledge and covering your heart is the sportsman like thing to do. If not for your own beliefs for those you stand there for.

 

IMHO (that happens to be right)

[justaguy]

While I understand the problem, I tend to agree with deej, particularly in the case of White. He knew what to he was supposed to do and he did try, at least in my eyes. What I was watching was someone who was bursting with energy. I can't imagine all the excitement he must have been feeling. Yes, it would have been nice if he had stood quietly and respectfully during the ceremony. I didn't see any disrespect, though. I saw a guy trying to contain his enthusiasm and not quite doing it successfully.

[jackcali]

He knew what to he was supposed to do and he did try, at least in my eyes. What I was watching was someone who was bursting with energy. I can't imagine all the excitement he must have been feeling. Yes, it would have been nice if he had stood quietly and respectfully during the ceremony. I didn't see any disrespect, though. I saw a guy trying to contain his enthusiasm and not quite doing it successfully.

 

Bursting with energy? Not quite able to contain his enthusiasm? Maybe we should wait to hear the results of his drug tests.

 

Athletes from all countries must be unbelievably pumped up after accomplishing something that they've dreamed about and work toward for years. Yet athletes from other countries manage to control themselves for the 60 seconds they're on the podium. I think it's all about what they've been taught is acceptable behavior and what is tolerated of them.

 

We worry so much about what people around the world think of us Americans, yet when we have their attention, this is the behavior we display? I'm sorry, I thought it was an embarrassment for the United States. If that makes me a grumpy old man, then so be it. In my defense, I can only say that I used to be a grumpy young man.

[jgoo]

While I understand the problem, I tend to agree with deej, particularly in the case of White. He knew what to he was supposed to do and he did try, at least in my eyes. What I was watching was someone who was bursting with energy. I can't imagine all the excitement he must have been feeling. Yes, it would have been nice if he had stood quietly and respectfully during the ceremony. I didn't see any disrespect, though. I saw a guy trying to contain his enthusiasm and not quite doing it successfully.

 

 

At what point do we stop making excuses for rude and/or inappropriate behavior? It was a ceremony and required the proper respect to be displayed. Plenty of time to celebrate and party afterwards. I am definitely not grumpy and not an old man, and am totally unapologetic for standing up for showing respect during our national anthem.

[adriano46]

From my own perspective of being an Amerivcan who lives often overseas, I have witnessed many Olympic Games from other nations' TV stations and the first thing I see now is that NBC is really poor in coverage. They seem to highlight ONLY (or MOSTLY) American athletes. OK I get it that it is a US TV station, but can they put a little lid on their "rooting for the home team" just a wee bit?

 

On the podium etiquette, I guess I too fall into the category of "grumpy" -- I find US young "adults" acting like brash juveniles so often in Europe that this does not surprise me, but come on, watch the other athletes from other countries (oh... NBC does not usually show them....) and you will see that most of them (aside from the Russians and South Koreans), act professionally.

 

Onto my last comment above ... the Russians put a LOT into Plushemko's return as they had no one of his stature who rose up the ranks of figure skating in the last 4 years (which shows how badly their winter sports have slumped... thanks to Mr. Putin's horrible years as fearless leader). So they pulled him out of retirement and pushed him onto the stage, and yes, he can do quads... over and over... but he lacks a lot in other areas that under the new rules of scoring, make him stumble a bit. His whole hype about "if you do no quads you do not belong on the podium" was a poor stunt. Perdsonally even in his heyday as a European champion (and Russian champion) I felt he lacked a lot in some of the more tecnical areas -- but was a great jumper. Just wait until the next games in Sochi!!!!

 

And the South Koreans in the speed skating complaining about the "pushing and shoving" --- heck they do the same in my humble eye's view of their skating. But they think they can get away with it teaming up to block out everyone. I know it is "possible" to do that, but I was very happy when two of their three crowders washed out!! OK I said it!

[+ glutes]

Good morning Grumpy One Finger, Grumpy Old Glutes!

 

http://content.internetvideoarchive.com/content/photos/147/006200_11.jpg

[dcguy20]

Yvegeny Plushenko is behaving like a petulant child who didn't get his way. I could understand one being disappointed at not achieving their goal, but he just wasn't at the top of his game on Thursday night. He really needs to grow the f*ck up.

[+ glutes]

Heck, even Tiger put his hand over his heart yesterday.

 

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00687/Tiger_1_350_687489a.jpg

[Guest greatness]

well

 

Everybody goes hard times. Let' support Tiger. We are not perfect either. I think he looks cute in that pic. Tiger we support you and please come back as a new person~~

 

Heck, even Tiger put his hand over his heart yesterday.

 

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00687/Tiger_1_350_687489a.jpg

[Txpaytoplay]

Classless Celebration

 

I am not a "grumpy old man" but I too am appalled at how some of our athletes showed, in what I believe, disrespect, during the playing of the national anthem. It saddens me to see this as well.

 

 

 

Just my two cents worth.

[best hotel]

Shawn White is cute, but his air guitar playing during the anthem was ridiculous