Really? So, the third string goalkeeper on the US women's soccer team is not an Olympian since she didn't see any match time? Going to be awkward explaining how you got a gold medal despite not being an Olympian.
This is why it's hard for people because it's not the same for every sport and that's just the way it is. For individual sports you have to participate and team sports you just have to be out there, in my opinion.
Yes. She is an Olympian but somehow it feels tainted now. Her story was awesome. But it somehow doesn't gel with the Olympic spirit. The right thing, the magnanimous thing would have been, no matter how painful, to step away and have the alternate run. She didn't so I hope she feels OK about it. And I hope she's nor making up stories/ excuses. I've actually avoided reading anything about it because it depresses me.
Does she meet the technical definition of an olympian? Yes. That is fact.
Does she meet the implied definition of an olympian - an athlete who competed and gave their best for the country that they represented. I don't think so.
Des and Kara pointed out that she will use this title to leverage income for appearing at future races and events. Am I going to be more excited to be at an event that she is at? No. It is not like Sisson and Lindwurm. It's just not the same, and I think her being broadcast as an olympian is misleading.
That is just my opinion. Regardless of what Kara says, anyone with a brain and a value system can in fact have a thought about this. I recognize that it would have been extremely difficult to not start that race. Kara and Des seem to think that it is totally understandable to be selfish and leave your values at the door if there is money involved, and us mere mortals cannot understand the dilemmas that elites like them face. Plenty of people have turned down lucrative opportunities because of a conflict in values. It's called being true to yourself, and the reason it is a special quality is because it is really, really hard to do sometimes. This world is full of people taking the easy road, and I am disappointed that someone that I once admired advocates taking the easy route. Especially since she has spent so much time on a moral high horse.
If you qualify to compete in the Olympics, then I consider that person an Olympian. Not all athletes that qualify actually compete due to injury, illness, or other reasons, but they're still Olympians in my book. Put another way, if they're listed on a country's Olympic team roster, they're Olympians.
If you're named to an olympic team, you're an olympian whether you compete or not.
I agree with this. I would have considered her an Olympian for qualifying for the team. It would have been more honorable, and I believe would have gained her more respect, had she made the difficult decision to have the alternate compete.
Do you consider Henry Rono an Olympian? If not, why not.
Does she meet the technical definition of an olympian? Yes. That is fact.
Does she meet the implied definition of an olympian - an athlete who competed and gave their best for the country that they represented. I don't think so.
Des and Kara pointed out that she will use this title to leverage income for appearing at future races and events. Am I going to be more excited to be at an event that she is at? No. It is not like Sisson and Lindwurm. It's just not the same, and I think her being broadcast as an olympian is misleading.
That is just my opinion. Regardless of what Kara says, anyone with a brain and a value system can in fact have a thought about this. I recognize that it would have been extremely difficult to not start that race. Kara and Des seem to think that it is totally understandable to be selfish and leave your values at the door if there is money involved, and us mere mortals cannot understand the dilemmas that elites like them face. Plenty of people have turned down lucrative opportunities because of a conflict in values. It's called being true to yourself, and the reason it is a special quality is because it is really, really hard to do sometimes. This world is full of people taking the easy road, and I am disappointed that someone that I once admired advocates taking the easy route. Especially since she has spent so much time on a moral high horse.
While adding context to the Fiona discussion, Kara noted that when she had an injury she offered to step down from a championship team so the alternate could run, and Nike said if you don’t run, we’ll cut your salary by 30%. The alternate was Des Linden. So, the person who was most affected by an injured runner continuing was on the podcast to give feedback — And Des said Kara absolutely was right to run.
Oh, but wait, actually you seem to be the person most affected….
This post was edited 4 minutes after it was posted.
Really? So, the third string goalkeeper on the US women's soccer team is not an Olympian since she didn't see any match time? Going to be awkward explaining how you got a gold medal despite not being an Olympian.
If you participate as a member of a team, you’re an Olympian. If you’re in an individual sport and you do not participate, you are not.
When given the chance to pile on an injured young runner being pilloried on the internet, very few of you do the honorable thing and show compassion/empathy and just refrain for freaking moment (especially when the alternate Jess McClain has been completely gracious).
And yet somehow (vicious as you are) you believe you’d perfectly uphold the Olympic spirit. You guys crack me up.
Does she meet the technical definition of an olympian? Yes. That is fact.
Does she meet the implied definition of an olympian - an athlete who competed and gave their best for the country that they represented. I don't think so.
Des and Kara pointed out that she will use this title to leverage income for appearing at future races and events. Am I going to be more excited to be at an event that she is at? No. It is not like Sisson and Lindwurm. It's just not the same, and I think her being broadcast as an olympian is misleading.
That is just my opinion. Regardless of what Kara says, anyone with a brain and a value system can in fact have a thought about this. I recognize that it would have been extremely difficult to not start that race. Kara and Des seem to think that it is totally understandable to be selfish and leave your values at the door if there is money involved, and us mere mortals cannot understand the dilemmas that elites like them face. Plenty of people have turned down lucrative opportunities because of a conflict in values. It's called being true to yourself, and the reason it is a special quality is because it is really, really hard to do sometimes. This world is full of people taking the easy road, and I am disappointed that someone that I once admired advocates taking the easy route. Especially since she has spent so much time on a moral high horse.
Those who protest the most and loudest usually are hiding something themselves. Not saying always…but usually.
Does she meet the technical definition of an olympian? Yes. That is fact.
Does she meet the implied definition of an olympian - an athlete who competed and gave their best for the country that they represented. I don't think so.
Des and Kara pointed out that she will use this title to leverage income for appearing at future races and events. Am I going to be more excited to be at an event that she is at? No. It is not like Sisson and Lindwurm. It's just not the same, and I think her being broadcast as an olympian is misleading.
That is just my opinion. Regardless of what Kara says, anyone with a brain and a value system can in fact have a thought about this. I recognize that it would have been extremely difficult to not start that race. Kara and Des seem to think that it is totally understandable to be selfish and leave your values at the door if there is money involved, and us mere mortals cannot understand the dilemmas that elites like them face. Plenty of people have turned down lucrative opportunities because of a conflict in values. It's called being true to yourself, and the reason it is a special quality is because it is really, really hard to do sometimes. This world is full of people taking the easy road, and I am disappointed that someone that I once admired advocates taking the easy route. Especially since she has spent so much time on a moral high horse.
Those who protest the most and loudest usually are hiding something themselves. Not saying always…but usually.
Yeah man, I’m hiding the fact that I’m an Olympian
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