Would an Olympic athlete or a team rather finish second or third?
A silver performance is obviously higher than bronze but a closer look reveals that a 3rd place finish is often more rewarding than second.
In an interview with the Washington Post Tom Gilovich, who is a professor of psychology at Cornell University said “If you win a silver, it is very difficult to not think, ‘Boy, if I had just gone a little faster at the end. The bronze-medal winners–some of them might think, ‘Boy, I might not have gotten a medal at all!'”
Peter McGraw is a behavioral scientist at the University of Colorado-Boulder.
He has a theory why athletes can be more fulfilled with third than second.
“People have a tendency to compare their state of the world and what happens to them with what could have been. … The term for that is counterfactual thinking,” McGraw said.
The ultimate goal at the Olympics is obvious, to win gold.
Most athletes never experience that golden moment but often they dream of a podium finish.
Depending on the circumstances third has more psychological benefits than second.
Let’s take women’s soccer in Rio as an example.
Canada won its last game in thrilling fashion, 2-1 over host Brazil to claim bronze for the second straight Olympics.
Christine Sinclair, in likely her last Summer Games, scored the winning goal and was applauded like a champion which she deserved.
The Canadian team won its last game and to a player celebrated a huge sense of accomplishment.
On the other hand, Sweden settled for silver dropping a hard fought 2-1 decision to Germany in the final.
Sweden lost its last game meaning many of its players felt sadness, disappointment and frustration in not winning the big one.
In fact, many of the Swedish players were in tears afterwards knowing they may never get that opportunity again.
It may sound harsh, but second place can haunt many athletes the rest of their lives.
Sure Canada fell 2-0 to Germany in the semis but the Canadian team had a second chance to go out on a winning note, an opportunity that was not given to Sweden.
Individually, Andre De Grasse of Markham, Ontario was excited with a bronze in the 100 metres, his first medal, but was he as pleased with a silver medal in the 200?
Although he had a strong come from behind effort to finish in the runner-up spot, one could argue, judging by his facial expression and post-race interview his sense of being disheartened.
He only had one chance to beat the great Usain Bolt in the 200 and came up just short.
“I was ready to try to challenge [Bolt] and he just ran away from me and I couldn’t catch him. It is what it is,” De Grasse told the CBC.
His coach Stuart McMillan did not hold back in his interview with the CBC.
“He had a good opportunity to beat Bolt and to win. I know that’s why he came. He thought he could win the 100 and the 200. I know he’ll be disappointed. And I think deep down I’m probably a little more disappointed than happy.”
De Grasse would later rejoice again with a bronze in the men’s 4×100 relay, especially when the Canadian team was initially ruled 4th.
A 4th place finish at an Olympic level can be the most difficult to comprehend.
There doesn’t seem to be much of a consolation prize.
Just ask Melissa Bishop of Eganville, Ontario.
The 28-year-old Bishop set a Canadian record in the women’s 800-metre final (1:57.02) just 13/100ths of a second out of a medal.
She was in a bronze position with 50 metres remaining, but the heartbreak left her passing through the interview area in tears without speaking to reporters.
When she returned to chat with the media she didn’t hide her feelings despite running the best race of her life.
“Um. . . (I felt) defeated obviously. We worked so hard for this stuff, that fourth really sucks,” Bishop said.
There is pressure on athletes to perform but none more than they put on themselves.
Setting a personal best is a superb accomplishment and a realistic goal, however, expectations are often higher.
One could argue that sometimes an Olympic result comes with a “silver” lining.
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High jumper Alyx Treasure of Prince George ended up 17th in Rio, including a personal best leap of 1.94 metres but she is already more determined to get to the next level.
Here is what the 24-year-old Treasure posted on Facebook:
“My first Olympic experience is now over. It has motivated me, devastated me, and pushed me to continue to pursue the sport I love! I am incredibly humbled by the support of not only my incredible hometown but of the amazing country that I am honored to represent.
I take my losses and successes from this experience with a passion and drive to keep pushing and fighting. One thing I’ve learned through this experience is the power of faith and resilience and that if you have those there are no limits…. Till next time ✌ #OnlyTheBeginning #TreasureTheJourney”
From the Quote Rack:
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Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
The U.S. 4 x 100 men’s Olympic relay team did not win its appeal. On the other hand they stopped short of saying they were robbed in Rio.
Comedy writer TC Chong of Vancouver http://alwaysfunny.com/
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Comedy writer Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
And in case you missed it:
Niagara Falls police arrested a man this week for setting fire to a boarding house. No one was hurt, but the roomers were flying.
Comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com
Hartley Miller is the sports director and morning news anchor for 94.3 the Goat. He also is the 94.3
radio color commentator for P.G. Cougars home games. His column appears Fridays on
myprincegeorgenow.com.
Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to [email protected]
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