Why does it seem that Americans are so selfish when it comes to the Olympics?

Question

Of course i can't say this is true of all Americans... but since i've been in this Olympics section of Y!A, i've noticed that any answer that does not support America gets thumbsed down (bearing in mind the majority of Y!A users are American)... one question i answered suggested that China were guilty of bribery and cheating in the gymnastics just because America had been greatly outperformed, another that the Chinese gymnasts were underage and therefore should be stripped of their medals!

Bearing in mind the US make up one of the biggest countries in the World and have finished top 2 in the medals table for the past 5 Olympics (a little repetitive, perhaps?), don't you think this kind of attitude shows bad sportsmanship and selfishness?

From what i've seen it seems Americans forget that they are not the only country in the World competing in these Olympics- 1 of 204 nations to be exact. Every nation will be rooting for their athletes just like the Americans with no chance of EVER reaching the position they're in.

For me, it's good to see the underdog nations winning some medals for a change; not just the same headliners game after game- it's what the Olympic spirit is meant to be about, after all.

Thanks for your answers.

Answer 1

I am so offended Luke!!! Just kidding haha. No I totally agree with you though. But I think China is a little overly selfish as well. The Olympics have gone too far. It's not about representing your country anymore, it's all about getting the most medals and money and fame.

Answer 2

Competitiveness. Ignorance. It certainly is entertaining though.

Answer 3

I think its because the Olympics is the only thing that involves the whole world that the US can win in, so the gobble it up

Answer 4

You've obviously never seen us at a buffet table.

Answer 5

we like fairness.  You should ask this question to China in these games.

Answer 6

Stricter drug testing at these games has probably had an affect on the performance of USA.

Use of drugs to enhance performance has been endemic in US. This year the Chinese have knocked USA off the top - and all we hear is that the Chinese looked too young. Cheating with drugs is pathetic - it's not competitive as some have answered - it's cheating.

Remember these:

Mark McGuire, Sammy Sosa, Marion Jones, Tim Montgomery, Justin Gatlin, Jeremy Giambi, Floyd Landis, Rafael Palmeiro, Ricky Williams, Jose Canseco, Chris "The Birdman" Andersen.  

Answer 7

we're proud, patriotic people. i just love my country... don't get me wrong. i love brits and aussies, and all the other countries. but can you blame me for jumping up and down and cheering on the US?

y'all. please, feel free to do the same for your athletes.

we can have a cheer off! bahahaa!

get pumped people!

Answer 8

I believe that not all Americans are like this.  However there are a group of ignorant Americans who aren't aware a lot of things in the rest of the world.  They just blindly follow whatever the media tells them.

Example?  Some of the Americans don't even know where Canada is.  They actually think Canada is one of the states of America, which I found hilarious.  And a big percentage of the Americans never travel to the Asia.  Go figure.

Answer 9

good point. i agree with u completely.

wish that others could see it the way u do.

if it was up to me id cancel the olympics, it brings about too much hate and some US citizens making it hard for the rest of the world to like them, with their over competitiveness.

dnt they realise dat they aren't the only ones in the competition?

Answer 10

they feel threatened coz they can feel the reality coming.

self-preservation

Answer 11

I guess it's just their competitive nature. Shame that a minority of people on here turn it ugly though. Just turns into a big country bashing thing. Gets really boring reading the same thing!

Answer 12

Wow! little american hater. First of all, u have no sources, so who gives a c**p about wat u say. Second the facts about the chinese were actually true, so why should they earn metals for cheating and not following the rules. Everyone else did. Third, I dont know which country ur from, but i suspect that ur country doesnt win very many metals. BUT WHY should we let some one win who cant truly beat us. my advice: TRAIN MORE!!

The olympics are made for the world to compete and see who is the best of the best. If the best is an amaerican athlete, then he deserved it.

Answer 13

Because that's our attitude. We are very competitive.  

Answer 14

Americans are not selfish.  We are the best.  It's about time everyone else realized it too.  Go USA!!!

Answer 15

Americans are VERY competitive, so i guess that is why they were selfish and HAD TO MAKE EXCUSES WHEN THEIR TEAM LOST.  

Answer 16

I think most Americans accept China's successes and it's the ignorant ones that come up and rant about another nation winning medals traditionally given to Americans. These same people cry about how the Chinese "look" too young when compared to American counterparts and how the judges favor the Chinese when many of those are Americans judges. What they fail to mention are however U.S. steroid controversies in areas such as track and field. I won't be surprised if these idiots don't even know where China is.