A common theme among many of the defenders of O'Keeffe's decision to start the Olympic marathon is that in order to be considered an "Olympian" (whether it be for financial gain, the glory of the title, or some other reason) it was necessary for her to start the race even knowing she couldn't finish. So, what do you think? What criteria do you believe an athlete has to meet to call themselves an Olympian? Do you consider her an Olympian? Why or why not?
A common theme among many of the defenders of O'Keeffe's decision to start the Olympic marathon is that in order to be considered an "Olympian" (whether it be for financial gain, the glory of the title, or some other reason) it was necessary for her to start the race even knowing she couldn't finish. So, what do you think? What criteria do you believe an athlete has to meet to call themselves an Olympian? Do you consider her an Olympian? Why or why not?
A common theme among many of the defenders of O'Keeffe's decision to start the Olympic marathon is that in order to be considered an "Olympian" (whether it be for financial gain, the glory of the title, or some other reason) it was necessary for her to start the race even knowing she couldn't finish. So, what do you think? What criteria do you believe an athlete has to meet to call themselves an Olympian? Do you consider her an Olympian? Why or why not?
The general use of the term Olympian is somewhat laughable. You participated in the Olympics. The term Olympian indicates you now have some status or super power than others don't, and honestly as a person you aren't substantially different from who you were before you qualified.
Everyone seriously using the term probably needs to just get over themselves.
Yes, but not as honorable an Olympian as that chubby lady from Bhutan that represented her nation with dignity and pride. She didn't want to let her nation down and that is the Olympic spirit.
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.
I consider her an Olympian, albeit one whose legacy will be forever tarnished by her decision to "compete," thus depriving a healthy athlete from lining up. I hope the $$ made it worthwhile. It boggles the mind that Kara and Des are so vehement in their support of her.
Along these lines, are the athletes in the 1980 team Olympians? I think they are even though they didn’t get a chance to compete.
Maybe if that attitude had prevailed last weekend, Fiona would have made the gracious rather than selfish decision, and could have let Jess compete but still consider herself an Olympian.