Which Athletes Have Displayed Sportsmanship in Beijing That Defines The Olympic Ideal?

Question

A few I think are worthy of mention are Jones in her hurdles defeat, Speorman and later Martina for their graciousness in the face of the most gutwrenching defeat, Crawford and Dix for their graciousness and humility at their unexpected promotion in the same race.

Who inspired you with their behaviour?

Answer 1

I think Dara Torres showed the most class when she went to the judges and asked them to wait for another competitor, because she'd had problems with her swimsuit.  The other swimmer was a competitor, and even though Dara won the silver, she earned a gold in my opinion for that.

Answer 2

Torres took it pretty well. She's saying now she has something to prove, just got back to the states, and is already working out for world championships next year. And I saw some gymnist, maybe Pavlova or some others, who went down the line and hugged or kissed every coach and gymnast on the sidelines. I had never seen that before.

There's an American trackster who likes to joke and hug on Bolt. He picked him up after he won the 200M. That's saying something considering Bolt is so arrogant and all into himself. I agreed with the announcers who blasted the womens pole vault coach who was so mean to his athelete, and yet she still plans to stay with him and celebrate with him. I felt sorry for her. I'm sure I could think of more impressionable things.  

Answer 3

I thought Shawn Johnson showed grace, class and maturity when she just missed winning gold a couple of times on judging that many regarded as questionable.  It couldn't have been easy to lose the gold on the last performance but she didn't complain about judging and she always managed a smile.  She's only 16 but showed the maturity of someone many years older.

Answer 4

Michael Phelps (USA) - Swimming, eight-gold excellence with 7 WRs.

Lin Dan (Chi) - Badminton, after stuning 1st rnd loss in Athens returns to win gold in Beijing.  Both times as #1 seed.

Dara Torres (USA) - Swimming, 41 yr old Silver medalist

Oksana Chusovitna (Ger) - Gymnastics, Vault Silver medal at age 33.  Left Uzbekistan in '99 to get better medical for son's leukemia.

I forget the names/event, but the Russian and Georgian women who shared the podium together, despite the conflict.  That to me is what the Olympics should be all about.

Answer 5

US gymnastics team by far.

Answer 6

That Swedish Wrestler that threw away his bronze medal. Only Gold medals count if you ask anyone on Yahoo Answers.

Answer 7

50-year-old Jeannie Longo in cycling. She went to her 7th Olympics, and just missed the bronze medal by 1 second.

It comes to show that physical age doesn't matter, it's people's determination what matters.

Answer 8

Bolt and Phelps!