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Gold medals
Korcok is right.
not that he needs me to say that.
Kerry didn't know what score she would have to get to win a gold before she
decided to do the second vault, the Russians weren't finnished on the floor
yet. She just knew that her team was facing some risk (maybe small) of not
winning a gold medal. Not until after she vaulted did the last of the Russians
finish the floor excercise. She chose to do the second vault, not because
someone told her to, but because she is a champion. That fact, that she would
make that choice given that personal risk, makes her a hero. The fact that none
of us would, means we are not. Pretty simple. Just because we do not love
gymnastics like she does, doesn't mean that she should choose differently, or
that her coach should use different methods. Her dedication to an activity that
she loves is the only legitimate measure of what she did, or of her coaches
methods. Our sideline criticism is uncalled for.
If debate carried as much risk as that vault, I would like to think that I would
have made the same choice under similar circumstances. That would be the price
of being the best in the world. If it is not worth it for you, don't criticize
someone else who has more dedication. Instead, show the respect that this act
commands.
-Owen Younger
Archive created by Jonathan Stanton (jonathan@cs.jhu.edu)
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