Sour grapes at the Olympics

[kidzmom3]

Well, she fell from the bar and lost last night, she can't blame it on anyone else this time.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Danacara, I have got hand it to you, perfectly said!

And as for Svetlana being as ugly on the inside as she is on the outside, that is just such a sad statement, especially coming from another woman.

 

[vernon]

I think many of you read too much into the comments of a disapointed athlete just after they realise their dreams have been finished. Bias for being (or not being) a certain nationality is often claimed by losing athletes, sometimes they have a point, but I think it works both for and against nations at times, it's just a bit galling if you're the athlete it works against at a certain time.

IMHO Svetlana was beaten by a better competitor on the day, but athlete's themselves are not always the best judges of their own performances, they will look to blame others for their short comings. The press like to take their comments and make a story out of them. I think the athletes would be better advised not to talk straight after disapointments and take time to compose a more rational reply. But they are under pressure to make statements, the press (and us) seem to think they (we) have a right to their time in the middle of an increadably emotional and stressful time.

Sour grapes are not limited to those countries that are poorer than the US. The US itself has had athletes who claim bias against them, for example Aaron Peirsol complained that Katajima of Japan had not been picked up for a technical infringement when he beat Peirsols friend and teammate Brendon Hanson in the breaststroke. Somewhat ironically (or maybe not) Peirsol was himself disquallified for a similar infringement in his own final after winning the gold, but that DQ was over turned on appeal. Having watched the slo mo of both events I think both Katajima and Peirsol should have been disqualified.

Dana, I think you read a lot more anti US sentiment into her comments than was there. I think if she'd been beaten by a Greek, she'd have claimed a home town decision, if beaten by an Asian, she'd claim a pro Asian bias. She's just a person who's lost her last chance of something she's been working towards ALL her life, and she's looking to blame someone other than herself. I think we should cut a little slack to people who have to be a lot more selfish and motivated than "normal" people in order to achieve their high standards. People have a habit of saying stupid things when a microphone is shoved under their noses at stressful times, athletes and gymnasts are no different.

I'm not excusing her "outburst" , but I do understand why many athletes from many countries (USA included) complain they've been picked on, when the fault lies in their own hands (legs or feet).

 

[snoopy]

I tend to agree with Vernon. Lets face it, these kids have been working their entire lives towards one goal -- and thats the Gold, not the Silver. She is clearly disappointed. I'll cut her some slack, and admire her for the amazing athlete she is.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

I agree she is an amazing athlete, but she has been justly rewarded with an amazing career. She is not entitled to an Olympic gold, and many others who have worked just as hard and been just as disappointed have reacted a heck of a lot better than she has (Michelle Kwan, anyone?)

Sorry, but I laughed when she fell off the uneven bars and stalked off the floor in a huff afterwards. What a way to end a storied career! Couldn't have happened to a nicer person.

 

[olena]

More like bitter grapes.

Besides, if she 'knew' going in that she wasn't going to win, isn't that just self-fulfilling prophecy?

She didn't look too graceful and elegant falling off the uneven bars yesterday.

I believe in karma.