Technically speaking - when do you officially become "an Olympian"?

Skeptic of it All wrote:

I think SNL answers it best with this skit:

http://www.hulu.com/watch/319318/saturday-night-live-you-can-do-anything

Man, SNL sucks now.

Allow me to go to the morbid side, so the unfortunate 1972 Israeli athletes, NOT Olympians?

This site refers to them in that manner for what it is worth.

http://history1900s.about.com/od/fadsfashion/a/olympics1972.htm

The entire 1980 Olympic team is just that, Olympians. No haters on this board can say differently. Athletes become Olympians when their country sends in the roster of who will be representing them. I can tell that their are alot of uneducated people on this board and haters because they were no where near making an Olympic team.

coachwk wrote:

The entire 1980 Olympic team is just that, Olympians. No haters on this board can say differently. Athletes become Olympians when their country sends in the roster of who will be representing them. I can tell that their are alot of uneducated people on this board and haters because they were no where near making an Olympic team.

coachwk,

I'm the OP. I can't tell from your post if you consider me a "hater". I hope I didn't come across as one for asking the question. I am a huge fan of our athletes, and watching the Olympics is one of my earliest and most memorable childhood experiences. I am also nowhere near making an Olympic team.

I just heard in a few interviews "you're now an Olympian" and for whatever reason my first thought was it didn't sound right. "You're going to be an Olympian" is what I would have said. They were Olympic qualifiers, but for whatever reason I associate "Olympian" with somebody who has participated in the Olympic Games.

I just wanted to get other people's insights on the topic.

Like I said in the OP, it's not a big deal. The topic would never come up in real life. The only two Olympians I know are so humble they would never even call themselves that.

Anyway, it's nice when people can share their (differing) opinions in an intelligent manner here, without calling others names or putting them down. I appreciate your opinion, but don't appreciate the name calling. Take care.

Big PR,

I dont mind you bringing up the topic. The people who are saying the 1980 team doesnt deserve to be called Olympians or who dont really know what they are talking about are the haters. You brought up a very good question . Just being top 3 in the Trials doesnt warrant you being an Olympian, just ask Kristy Johnston about that in 2000. She was runner-up in the marathon but because the winner didnt have the "A" standard we only sent 1 female. Olympians are the people who are on the final roster the country sends in to the IOC as to who will represent them. If you get hurt after that, you are still on the Olympic team just like it would be for a team sport.

Sprintgeezer wrote:

"When the gun (or horn or whistle or whatever) signals the start of your event, then you are an Olympian."

+1

I'd have a hard time saying the Israelis that weren't able to start their event due to the terrorists weren't Olympians.

You actually have to start your event, or be present when your team starts, and be ready to participate.

If you are prepared to participate and are deprived of that opportunity by forces substantially outside your control--like hostage-taking and murder, and boycott--and if all indications are that you would have participated but for that event, then you are still an Olympian.

Like I said on a Solinskrap thread, somebody has to be holding you back from starting the event.

Also, if you do participate, but you cheat, or do not deliver your best honest effort--like bailing out of a race before it is finished because you know you can't win, like Solinskrap--you are NOT an Olympian.

Keith Stone wrote:

Sprintgeezer wrote:

"When the gun (or horn or whistle or whatever) signals the start of your event, then you are an Olympian."

+1

I'd have a hard time saying the Israelis that weren't able to start their event due to the terrorists weren't Olympians.

then don't say it. problem solved.

Skeptic of it All wrote:

My opinion: When you participate in opening ceremonies.

If you are on the practice squad of the NFL Superbowl winning team you still get a ring. BUT you didn't suit up and were ineligible to participate.

I think SNL answers it best with this skit:

http://www.hulu.com/watch/319318/saturday-night-live-you-can-do-anything

But that's the NFL, not the olympics.

It only makes sense that you are an Olympian when you have competed in the olympics.

Are you a marathoner if all you have done is train for it, but have never raced? No.

The actual dictionary definition fits the op's use of the word:

-adjectives

1. pertaining to Mount Olympus or dwelling thereon, as the gods of classical Greece

2. pertaining to Olympia in Elis

3. of, resembling, characteristic of, or suitable to the gods of Olympus; majestic or aloof -

noun

4. Olympian deity

5. contender in the Olympic Games

6. native or inhabitant of Olympia

- Related Form    O·lym·pi·an·ly- adverb

It's nice to know we could all call ourselves olympians by moving to Olympia!

I looked it up wrote:

-adjectives

3. of, resembling, characteristic of, or suitable to the gods of Olympus; majestic or aloof -

I think all letsrunners qualify. We are clearly superior to mere mortal joggers.

coachwk wrote:

Big PR,

I dont mind you bringing up the topic. The people who are saying the 1980 team doesnt deserve to be called Olympians or who dont really know what they are talking about are the haters. You brought up a very good question . Just being top 3 in the Trials doesnt warrant you being an Olympian, just ask Kristy Johnston about that in 2000. She was runner-up in the marathon but because the winner didnt have the "A" standard we only sent 1 female. Olympians are the people who are on the final roster the country sends in to the IOC as to who will represent them. If you get hurt after that, you are still on the Olympic team just like it would be for a team sport.

Coach, prove that a roster was sent to the IOC, or more appropriately, to the Moscow organizing committee, to reserve rooms in the Olympic village.

What about an athlete who qualifies for the US Olympic team at Trials, but gets injured between Trials and Olympics, and gives up his spot to the 4th placer at Trials....is he an Olympian?

What about other Olympic sports - Equestrian, rowing, fencing etc - did they all conduct Trials?

USA T&F only conducted a Trials because of the $$$$$ it generates.

What about countries like NZ who use a selection method - do you think NZ selected a "symbolic" 1980 Olympic team?

Did Kenya select a 1976 Olympic team? I think not.

Keith Stone wrote:

Sprintgeezer wrote:

"When the gun (or horn or whistle or whatever) signals the start of your event, then you are an Olympian."

+1

I'd have a hard time saying the Israelis that weren't able to start their event due to the terrorists weren't Olympians.

Because of this I think that you're an Olympian when you moved into the Village and the flame has been lit (thus meaning the Games also started). Now you are an Olympian. The Israelis were Olympians, the 1980 US were not (I feel sorry for them).

So along the same lines, technically speaking, when does "jogging" officially become "running"?

codger wrote:

What about countries like NZ who use a selection method - do you think NZ selected a "symbolic" 1980 Olympic team?

No, they actually sent four people to compete in 1980. Their boycott was symbolic, not their Olympic team.

If I move to Olympia, Washington do I qualify?

And how many angels can dance on the head of a pin?

Mr. Obvious wrote:

codger wrote:

What about countries like NZ who use a selection method - do you think NZ selected a "symbolic" 1980 Olympic team?

No, they actually sent four people to compete in 1980. Their boycott was symbolic, not their Olympic team.

If I move to Olympia, Washington do I qualify?

Where these T&F athletes, or some other sport? It is possible those four athletes had to self-fund.

Can't imagine Walker, Dixon, Quax would pass on an Olympics in their prime. Quax was just getting into the marathon about then, and his last shot at an Olympics.

52.43 wrote:

Keith Stone wrote:

I'd have a hard time saying the Israelis that weren't able to start their event due to the terrorists weren't Olympians.

Because of this I think that you're an Olympian when you moved into the Village and the flame has been lit (thus meaning the Games also started). Now you are an Olympian. The Israelis were Olympians, the 1980 US were not (I feel sorry for them).

Bump.

Is Joe Sixpack a millionaire before he cashes the PowerBall check?

Is the POTUS the POTUS before being sworn in?