After watching the Winter Olympics this year, I truly believe that part of the judging should include a new, universal field: sportsmanship. After all, it’s not just supposed to be about competing for medals – there’s a reason it’s called the Olympic games. Emphasis on the fun-loving part that is just supposed to bring out the best in everyone. It’s meant to be a coming together of the elite athletes of the world for some friendly competition. However, some countries take it far too seriously and see it as a matter of international acclaim and national pride.
Whatever happened to sportsmanship? A pat on the back, shaking of hands, or word of congratulations when the competition is over wouldn’t kill you. And even when the going is tough and everything sucks, you should save your prissy whining for behind the scenes. Or better yet, take your grudges and make some positive change out of it. But when people show their nasty sides on camera, it leaves an indelible impression that overshadows much of their positive aspects and achievements.
Mostly I’m referring to Plushenko, the biggest twerp I’ve ever seen on the international stage. There have been plenty of idiots, bigots, and the like, but none quite like Evgeni Plushenko. Though he is undoubtedly a skilled figure skater, because of his rude behavior and cockiness, I can’t help but remember his performance as subpar. Then again, his performance wasn’t all that great anyway. Sure, he had one fancy trick, but that doesn’t make him better overall. I think the Russians are the only ones who think he should have won gold. But anyways, what really bothered me about him was that he only cared about winning and had such an inflated head, I’m surprised he fit in the arena at all. There’s confidence and then there’s arrogance. Oh, and there’s also blatant rudeness when you claim to have won the platinum medal. Excuse me?! Way to disrespect the judges, your fellow skaters, and the Olympics at large all at once. For that, he doesn’t deserve any medal at all.
The other thing I was bothered about was actually Joannie Rochette’s behavior off the ice. Sure she’s had a tough couple of weeks after losing her mother, but manners shouldn’t escape her. For her performances, she definitely held herself together well and her emotion afterwards was touching. All was well until I saw her taking a picture with Mirai Nagasu back stage. She didn’t even smile, stood awkwardly, and rushed off as soon as she could, even as Mirai was thanking her. That sort of coldness was completely uncalled for, especially with a young girl who probably looked up to her. On the ice she handled her mother’s death with grace. Off the ice, she was an ice queen. Small move, but it shattered any sort of image I had of her before.
Oh, and of course there was the celebration that the Canadian women’s hockey team had that raised many eyebrows. Another consideration when the world’s eyes are on you and hordes of young men and women look up to these athletes. I think it’s important that they carry themselves with grace. It’s not easy to be them, but the trade-off of being in the spotlight is the scrutiny you come under. If you’re not ready to handle it, perhaps you’re not ready to be a household name. So, in an attempt to encourage better behavior and actually acting like role models, I really think the Olympics should implement a scoring system that includes sportsmanship, covering everything from not doping or cheating to holding yourself gracefully and respectfully.
Maybe Asada just doesn't smile, but she sure doesn't look all that pleased. Nevertheless, she remained poised.
I’d say Kim Yu-Na and Mao Asada were great examples of this, for instance. Even though Asada didn’t win gold and it was obvious her silver didn’t make her very happy, she accepted it gracefully, without any fuss. And of course, Kim, the shining star, was a poised gentlewoman the whole way through. Some Olympians could really learn a thing or two from them.
