It's an interesting point about how much the media plays up Olympic failure as a disaster of "epic" proportions. On the other hand, I don't think many Olympic athletes have had to endure the public shame of Bill Buckner! That became almost like a religious symbol of sorts. It seems to me that female gymnasts actually age pretty well once they quit gymnastics. And I don't hear about any of them regretting that they spent so much of their lives at it, after the fact.

Actually, on a recent Real Sports Now with Bryant Gumblethere was one female gymnast interviewed who (IIRC) regretted her training.

I believe without hesitation that Alexander Karelin is the best Olympian ever. From Wikipedia: He won gold medals at the 1988, 1992, and 1996 Olympic Games. Nicknamed the "Russian Bear", he went undefeated in international competition from 1987 until 2000, when he was upset by American Rulon Gardner in the gold-medal match at the Summer Olympics. Karelin went the last six years of his unbeaten streak without giving up a point. (emphasis mine)

Quoting WilliamP: It's an interesting point about how much the media plays up Olympic failure as a disaster of "epic" proportions. On the other hand, I don't think many Olympic athletes have had to endure the public shame of Bill Buckner! That became almost like a religious symbol of sorts.

That poor guy. And it wasn't even his fault. Never mind baseball being a team game, there's also the fact that his error didn't happen in the last game of the series. Fewer and fewer remember that, I think. On the other hand, if you can keep your sense of humor, you can dine out on a moment like that for life. Ralph Branca sure did.

It seems to me that female gymnasts actually age pretty well once they quit gymnastics. And I don't hear about any of them regretting that they spent so much of their lives at it, after the fact.

On a related note, I happened across this the other day: Nadia Comaneci at 46. Kind of a nothing article, but some nice pictures.

Quoting JIM3CH: Nice discussion. I like sports commentary that is a touch on the cynical side.

I felt the same way. This was about the only way I could have stood to hear the Olympics discussed. The only thing that made me happy about the arrival of the Olympics is it made people stop talking about the new iPhone.

This is my one of my favorite BH duos. Always entertaining!