We are having the best GB Olympic performance ever. The tally of medals is 11 gold and a couple of handfuls of silver and bronze. And yet time and again in the commentating and interviews the word disappointed and disappointing have been used. Either an athlete didn't make it to the final, or they did but didn't get a medal, or they got the medal but not the gold, ONLY a silver. Now I can understand some athletes being disappointed – it's natural and human to be disappointed when our highest hopes and expectations collide with the reality of personal limitations and other competitor's abilities. What I find it hard to tolerate is commentators and pundits using such a word for people who have worked so hard, whose dedication and personal investment in their event is huge.
I'm not disappointed in any of our competitors all of whom will have done their best, whether or not they feel they did themselves justice. Many of them have recorded personal bests and lifetime bests – for goodness sake what more can be asked. I can feel for and with the women's fours rowing team having a third silver in three consecutive Olympics, and their disappointment is very understandbale. But I hope none of us couch spectators have the small-mindedness to be so disappointed their silver wasn't gold that we underestimate the achievement behind that silver – likewise the men's eights.
Excellence is about a person performing to their potential – that may be good enough to win, but if it isn't it's good enough. Disappointing excellence is one of the sillier oxymorons.
OK. Got that clear. I'm looking forward to the rest of the games and am sure I won't be disappointed. If I keep using my exercise bike will I get thighs like Chris Hoy? Probably not, in which case I'll be….disappointed!
Leave a Reply