"One bad apple spoils the bunch." For American athletes that certainly is the case. A few idiots are giving all U.S. athletes a bad name.
The Sydney Olympic games was a world stage. From winning and losing performances came respect and admiration. But also from Sydney came disdain and disgust for how some American athletes conducted themselves during and after their competition. The examples were too many to dismiss as just an aberration. It's more like an epidemic. From the American 4x100 meter relay team prancing and posing with the American flag after having won to an American runner taunting his fellow competitors by motioning them to catch up as he won, to an American swimmer spitting in an opponents lane, to the overall cavalier attitude of the men's basketball team. It's time for the few "bad apples" to clean up their act.
The saddest part is those demonstrations of bad judgment and bad sportsmanship diminish other American athletes who showed class in winning and losing. Like Rulon Gardner beating a Russian wrestler for the gold, a wrestler who had not been beaten in 13 years. Or the women's Olympic soccer team graciously accepting a silver medal and complimenting profusely the gold medal winning Sweden side. Or Marion Jones showing her world class on and off the track, while at the same time winning 3 gold and two bronze medals. There were countless examples of swimmers, cyclists, volleyballers, rowers, boxers and other American athletes who conducted themselves before, during and after their competition in a way that reflects the Olympic credo: good sportsmanship and civility.
The American "bigger and better" belief and attitude is a two-edged sword. It may promote self-confidence, but when expressed in an arrogant way it also makes all athletes who wear USA across their uniforms vulnerable to being ridiculed. What those obnoxious athletes forget is that what has become tolerable sports conduct at home is not acceptable elsewhere-especially when the entire world is watching. The Olympics belong to the world and are not some private playground for ego indulging showoffs.
The problem is rooted right here at home. Trash talking in the NBA, taunting in the NFL, hitting an opposing player with a stick in the NHL, spitting at an umpire in baseball; it all reflects bad sports manners that are going to appear wherever American athletes are competing. Winning at all cost and doing it in an ostentatious, flashy manner has become the way of American sports. Most fans want to see emotionalism and celebration in athletes and their competition. What they don't want to see is trash talking, taunting, hitting and spitting. There has always been a difference between being a winner and a champion, a "pro" athlete and a professional athlete. The problem arises when more and more athletes seem to not know the difference- and there is a difference!
Is there an antidote to this boorish attitude and image? The honest answer is no. It's so deeply rooted in the American sports psyche to think it will change now would be foolish. The only hope is to try to control it, and that will come only from understanding why the athletes conduct themselves the way they do. First, an athlete's attitude is a general reflection of our society. Whether it's business, sports or entertainment, style and presentation has become more important than substance. Veteran athletes are more sensitive to making sure their performance is done in a manner that reflects their sport. Youth is more oriented toward instant gratification. The veteran sees image and legacy as their goal. The only hope for controlling those who conduct themselves in an unsportsmanlike way is peer pressure. That, along with each sport educating their athletes in proper etiquette and manners, as well as informing them of the consequences if they don't comply. If more athletes speak out against fellow athletes or their teammates' unacceptable conduct (such as many of the 49ers did when Terrell Owens pulled his "me first" Cowboy taunting stunt), then the attitude will change and proper decorum will return.
The biggest influence on athletes' actions is television. It's the image maker for the fan and of the athlete. What you see is what it is. Athletes know if you do something outrageous or showy it likely will make one of the network sports shows. For most athletes, especially where emotionalism is a large part of their sport and performance, that exposure can be intoxicating. And, we all know what happens when one becomes too intoxicated. Silliness, stupidity and bad judgment closely follows. In football, the simplest play gets an athlete celebration while in baseball I can't remember the last home run dance or fly ball out celebration I saw. That's because the code of baseball doesn't allow for it, while the NFL is supposed to police such actions with a penalty flag or a fine. It works pretty well in baseball and has been a miserable failure in football. And, in basketball, trash talking and showmanship are a part of the culture of the game today. They do it on the playgrounds, they do it in the NBA, so they do it everywhere the game is played. It doesn't make it right, it just makes it a part of the game and that isn't going to change.
So, where do we go from here? We must hope common sense and reality will prevail among the athletes. We, as fans, can help in making them see that reality by letting them know each time they do something stupid, insulting or classless that we don't appreciate it. Boo them, criticize them in letters to newspaper sports sections and sports talk shows, write their endorsement sponsors and tell me you won't buy their products because of their conduct, and finally cheer and congratulate, encourage and support those athletes who conduct themselves in a proper manner. Unless they're really stupid, they'll see being a champion instead of just a winner will get them the respect of the fans, their peers and the world at large. And, it may even mean more money in their contracts and endorsement deals for being a great champion.
I feel better now.
I'm Ron Barr.
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