“On the podium tonight, the three girls that earned their spot and they got their medals and they worked hard and did what they needed to do, prevailed,and that’s all that really needs to be said.”
Kellie Wells 2012 Olympic Bronze Medalist for the 100m Hurdles
“Boom! Just like that!”
Dawn Harper, the 2012 100m Hurdles Olympic Silver Medalist’s response to Kellie Wells statement
The above statements came in response to a question that Michelle Beadle, co-host for NBC Olympic Games asked the women about all the attention being directed at their track and field teammate, LoLo Jones. The tone of Kellie’s response even gave the host pause and all she could say was “wow” followed by another pause during which Dawn gave her affirming back-up response. While I do understand the young women’s hurt and annoyance at their achievements being overlooked in favor of their teammate, their attitude and response to the situation left something to be desired. Their response was catty and very unprofessional.
One of the key elements that makes for good sportsmanship if you win or lose, is how you deal with your fellow competitors, athletic or otherwise. I am not sure if she intended to or not but within her statement, it seems Miss Wells was implying that the women who made it to the podium were the only ones who worked hard enough to place. That is hugely insulting to the women who did not. Every single olympian who is able to compete at the games has worked hard and long to earn their place on the grand stage of competition. In the light of truth, Kellie’s bronze medal was barely won as Lolo was only a second behind her. When you win a competition, raise, promotion, etc. it is fine to celebrate your accomplishment, you earned it and have the right to shine and relish in your moment of glory, graciously not as a braggart. However, good manners dictates that you show a gracious attitude towards those who competed with you, after all they are there for the gold too and deserve respect for being worthy opponents.
I understand that we will not like everyone we compete with and from the tone of that post competition interview, Harper and Wells made their feelings about LoLo Jones very apparent. I cannot say I blame them for the tinge of resentment they feel for their accomplishments being overlooked to focus on their teammate who did not win a medal, but even in the face of this, it would have been more beneficial for them if they had responded more graciously. This brings me to another important point, when you are a public figure, how you speak of and deal with other people you compete with must be as important as your physical training. Your reputation will follow you long after you hang up your running shoes so to speak.
To find that delicate balance of enjoying your success without putting others down in the process, is crucial. In response to Miss Wells comment, a more diplomatic response to the LoLo question should have been along the lines of, “Lolo is our fellow team mate who trained just as hard as we did for this moment. It is unfortunate she could not share the podium with us this time around. If she trains for the 2016 olympics, I hope she will have the opportunity to stand where we stand tonight. To win a medal for our country is an honor.” That would have been a gracious response to a difficult question, but as it stands, the responses of Harper and Wells have not endeared them to the public and they have verbally shot themselves in the foot. They won their medals, but they also lost alot of respect. It is really sad they failed to remember that the eyes of the world are watching them and what they said, spoke volumes!
In closing when it comes to being a good sport, remember the following:
1. If you win, enjoy your success, but respect your competitors
2. If you lose, take the loss graciously and congratulate the winner
3. Win or lose, never insult, belittle, or put down those who compete with you.
i have been reading the comments and there seems to be a deflection from what is being said and that is how to be gracious in competition. The overwhelming responses seem to be around these three things:
1. They are Human
2. They have a right to openly express their thoughts and feelings and should not be given a hard time about it
3. it is the media's fault
They are human
Of course they are human, we all are, somewhere we all have said or done something we later regret, but we have to understand that being human does not excuse us from the consequences and we have to accept those consequences and take measures to correct those things so they do not cause harm and keep good things from coming into our life. As I read these responses, "they are human" looks more like code for "they don't need to be held accountable" How many famous people have had "human"moments that proved to be costly? That greek olympian someone on here mentioned? She had a "human" moment, a lapse in judgement and it cost her her moment to shine in athletic competition. Andrew Weiner the politician from New York had a human moment when he tweeted is erect manhood on twitter and it cost him credibility in his political career. The football player Ochocinco has been cut from the Miami Dolphins following his domestic violent actions against his wife. The only thing that playing the human card should do is remind us to be understanding (because except the grace of God go us) but not excuse.
They have a right to openly express their thoughts and feelings and should not be given a hard time about it.
While we do have the right to voice our opinions popular or not but we cannot tell people to how to react to what we say. We cannot get upset at the negative blowback if we say something that has a bite to it. We have to own it. I would say if you are going to exercise your right to the freedom of speech then accept whatever accompanies that.It's the media's faultThe media's power can only extend as far as people fuel it. The media of course could operate with more integrity, but we know they are not because they want response and reaction to what they report. I dated a Journalist who has been working in the media for close to 40 years and he said to me the quote "it it bleeds it leads," is pretty much how the media does business and that is not going to change anytime soon, so the best way to deal with the media is not to blame or complain about them but to outsmart them. I have worked in media myself and I know that in some cases you can inform the reporter before you go on the air you will not answer certain questions if asked. I know with Oprah and Barbara Walters when they interview people they discuss with the person they are interviewing beforehand what they will be discussing and the person being interviewed will let them know they will not "go there". Sometimes reporters will agree off camera then try to put the person "on the spot" live but still they do not have to take the bait. The media is anything but considerate and people have to arm themselves accordingly.
These girls have great potential, they just need some encouragement and support to know how to deal skillfuly with the public and the media. To be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
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