Is Silver or Bronze not Good Enough?

I guess you could say I’m an Olympic watcher, not a fanatic, or a die-hard, but I do get excited and inspired every couple of years when the Olympics are televised. As I’ve watched the 2012 Olympics I’ve wondered something though. Does a silver or bronze medal matter anymore, or is it all about gold?

I was talking with my mom on the phone. (She is definitely a die-hard Olympic fan.) We were commenting on a 400-meter Men’s Swimming Relay that our American team had won four years. Actually it was a surprise victory for the US, who was not favored behind a powerful French team in 2008. This year, however, the gold medal was not meant to be for this American relay team.

My mom and I both commented on how it was sad that they had lost. Wait a second. Lost? No, no. Isn’t a silver medal still a win? Isn’t standing on the medal podium in any position a win? Actually, isn’t making it to the Olympics a win?

No sooner had I hung up the phone, I saw an interview with two US Women’s Volleyball players. They were making the following statements: We are going for the gold. Losing isn’t an option. We are winners. Nothing less (than gold) is good enough.

Slow down turbo. Keep your pants on. I mean your skimpy, spandex, bikini panties on. You get my point.

Just when I thought a win really wasn’t a win if it’s not a gold medal, I watched Men’s Gymnastics. What drew me into the drama unfolding in the gymnastics pavilion on Tuesday night was not the difficulties the US team was experiencing, but the success Great Britain was about to find.

As the gymnasts were finishing up their rotations, and team scores were being calculated, something amazing began to happen. Even the young men from Britain couldn’t believe it. The final scores were posted on the scoreboard revealing they had captured a medal.

And when I say drama, I mean drama. At first they were awarded a bronze medal, but then one of the Japanese gymnasts received a low score on the pommel horse, moving Britain into silver medal contingency. Japan appealed the score. And back to bronze it was for Britain.

The commentator explained that Great Britain had not medaled in gymnastics for a century, nor were they really expected to medal in this Olympics.

The young gymnasts were momentarily stunned. They looked from one to another and at the scoreboard. Then, in unison, they cut loose. They cheered, hugged, cried, jumped, high fived and fist bumped. They were winners. Silver medal, bronze medal, third place, runners up—it didn’t matter. They were winners.

So, yes, silver and bronze medals are good enough.

Congratulations boys from across The Pond!