British attitude to losing

[princerupe74]

I'm putting this in News because the Olympics is the biggest news right now. Most of the British competitors who've thus far failed to medal (this is an accepted verb now, it seems) have said things like "I'm still pleased with my performance" and "I was just pleased to be in the final." Do you think "Good on you, that's the correct and sporting attitude" or do you think "that's the problem with British sporting competitors - they're happy to accept second best and don't have the required winning mentality"?

[boxtops]

It's been suggested (and I think it's right) that it's the taking part which is important - they are, after all, the best that Team GB can field. If it's not quite good enough, then they can still be pleased with their performance.

I went for a job a while back and didn't get it, but I had very good feedback - I didn't let myself down, someone else was better than me - I didn't feel a failure, and nor should they.

[bazwillrun]

""I'm still pleased with my performance""

if they werent even expected to get as far as they have then maybe they will be pleased.

The only thing that counts is winning, I've never understood giving out silvers, bronze etc in any sport or event , you either win or you dont, the system is rewarding failure, failutre to win !

[ladybirder]

I like to see grace in defeat. As long as they did their best, that is all we can ask.

[argorstran]

Princerupe74 I think you're underestimating the toughness of the competition in the Olympics - it isn't like the European championships- China are there , the USA is there , the African nations are there . To get to an Olympic final is great - as is winning any kind of medal .

[LazyGun]

Learn the lesson, profit from the experience, but always be gracious in defeat.Otherwise you appear to others like a whining brat.

[piggynose]

princerupe74, are you Roy Keane?

[Psybbo]

Surely to be chosen to take part in the Olympics is an accolade in itself and be up against the best in the world. Also I think the press and media put too much pressure on our athletes who are doing their very best!

[craft1948]

I'd be quite upset if I lost so it's quite reasonable that I was never offered a place in the shooting team...............

[sherrardk]

Must be amazing to be good enough at something to make it into the Olympic team, to be one of a few out of the millions of people on earth. Surely that's enough?

[lorash]

I think the commentators are all being a bit negative and not expecting us to get anything. e.g. when interviewing Beth Tweddle (?) they finished the interview with - oh but did you see the Americans - they were amazing - or some such words.

[zebo]

Lorash, I saw that, I'd have slapped him had I been her! On the subject of interviews, it's so pleasant to hear people being interviewed who can string a sentence together, footballers please take note.

[TheNovice]

getting into an olympic team is a major achievement, beating personal bests at these events even if not quite good enough is brilliant. The comment about the level of competition at the Olympics is very apt. Steve Redgrave once said you are world champion for a year, you are an Olympic champion forever. That sums it up. Don't think our athletes accept second best, they just recognise the level of achievement

[ludwig]

// The only thing that counts is winning, I've never understood giving out silvers, bronze etc in any sport or event , you either win or you dont, the system is rewarding failure, failutre to win ! //

If your comment isn't selected as best answer, it's worthless.

[DaisyNonna]

What have you won?

[JonnyBoy12]

They should take the attitude of our friendly predators from outer space as seen in the Alien vs. Predator and also Predator films. If they do not beat their competitors they have to give them a large prize and also commit 'honourable suicide". If they can do it then so should we.

[DaisyNonna]

Winning mentality? Acceptability to use violence?

[Infomaniac]

A minuscule percentage of the world's population are good enough to qualify for the Oympic games. As only one person can be the best at a particular sport at any one time, to suggest all the rest of them are worthless is ludicrous. Congratulations and praise are owed to the winners, but admiration is due to all who take part.

[Mick-Talbot]

I'm not good enough to represent my country .....so I will *** off those who are.




Brilliant......

[Mick-Talbot]

S lag off

[MoonRocker]

why are you even watching? you hate it don't you? Still I suppose it's a chance to have an ABAO rant.