Olympics: The Silver Lining in the Cloud of Failure

My heart sank at the sight of a young woman, crestfallen, after she had given everything she had in the race of her life only to come up short. Like a Scarlett Letter, she will wear her failure on her chest, but instead of an embroidered "A" she will wear a medal. A silver medal. An Olympic silver medal. Apparently, it is the worst souvenir you can get from these Olympic events."You're either first or last," says Reese Bobby (the awesome Gary Cole) to his son, an adolescent Ricky Bobby, in the movie Talladega Nights. That philosophy, though not invented by the movie, sure has caught on.

I won a third place bowling trophy in Cub Scouts, still not sure how. I think it had to do with the fact that my father, who did not bowl, scored the game, and I'm sure, when in doubt, rounded up. At the time, I got a kick out of it. Little did I know that it was the worst insult I could have been given. In an episode of The Simpsons (Best Show Ever), the third place medal is referred to as "shameful bronze." But that goes a few years back and with inflation being what it was, now silver is the embarrassment medal. I mean when you think of it Bronze winners should be beaten with their medals.

Even gold's value has dropped. The US swim team's upset of the French in the 4 X 100 was by many accounts, including my own, a phenomenally exciting race with a conclusion that was heart-stopping and pants-dropping (Easy Mr. Phelps, there are children in the audience). However, even while the race was underway, commentators were talking about Michael Phelp's quest for eight gold medals. Eight gold Medals!!! Phelps already has a six Gold medals from the last Olympics.

After the French team lost, that is came in second, they looked devastated. Of course a member of their team had conveniently run off at the mouth, effectively making them the Apollo Creed of Rocky 2 (Not Rocky 1. He won in that movie). They were the villain that made the race all the more exciting, which is after all the point. And many do get it. Dara Torres is celebrating her silver. The Chinese Basketball Team looked downright ecstatic after their competitive loss to the US.

The fun is still there if you drown out the ambient chatter (or like me, goof on it relentlessly). Even Ricky Bobby learned that after he reunited with his dad in adulthood. When Ricky quotes his father's advice, his father tells him he's crazy. There are lots of places other than first or last. There's second, third, fifth. You know what? He's right.