Poor Sportsmanship by US Vaulter (Mckayla Maroney) (Page 3)

did you also see the the uneven bar finals last night?  after it was over, but before the scores were finalized they replayed the spot were Gabby Douglas messes up at the top of the bar.  the camera was showing the Russian girl's reactions during Gabby's routine and as soon as Gabby messed up the Russian girl smiles and her coach hugs her...literally as Gabby messes up, not at the end of the routine. 

nothing like getting caught on camera hoping your competition screws up.   was that poor sportsmanship? 

Yes, in my opinion that was poor sportsmanship.

I find it amusing that such a judgemental thread starts with the phrase "Don't judge me, but..."

Not that I'm judging...

Well, at least I feel comfortable knowing that both sides seem to be casting stones on this one.  

If you read my posts, I never said being disappointed is equal to poor sportsmanship.  Of course it's normal to be disappointed.  Even the op stated as much...but, as was mentioned before, you get past the initial sting and behave in a proper fashion.  

btw, my Franklin comparison is valid.  Did you see her response to bronze?  It was extremely classy.  

Listen, this isn't the end of the world!  Folks "protecting" Maroney don't have to worry, this isn't some reprehensible behavior that she's being "attacked" for...in my opinion it was "less than ideal."  As said before several times, hopefully she learns from this and doesn't do it again.  People are allowed to make mistakes...and people are allowed to point out those mistakes...and hopefully we all learn from them.

Says the man who is judging a 17 year old girl on the basis of one reaction on TV.

Fight, Fight, Fight

My reaction watching the event on NBC, "That girl looks like she is going to murder someone".

x5,000 and I also find it a little sad that there is so much discussion about what is perceived she has done wrong as opposed to what she obviously did RIGHT. Her vault for the team final was literally jaw dropping. Let's see 3 pages of discussion about that.

So many people are quick to find the flaws. I can't help thinking how nice it would be if we spent as much time lifting each other up.

The irony of this amazes me....Adults stating that a child lacks class because she showed emotion after falling short of her expectations....On the other hand, most people including most NBC commentators praise the desire to win when a professional athlete that gets paid millions does something similar.

But hey, lets judge a girl that was putting all her hopes and hard work of the last 4 years based on a few seconds of emotion.

No, just when someone is being as silly as you are.

He has said he wants to be a legend in the Olympics.  He is well on his way with how he runs.  He has also said he wants to give back some respect to the fans and make a bit of a show out of it. 

Sprinters have never been lacking in the "confidence" area.  Even with that,  he is the best and doesn't look like anyone can catch him. 

I'm with you on this.  After the win (granted, she kinda walked into that win, but it still counts) people were standing around with somber looks on their face.  Had it been Mckayla, she would've been doing the big-wave thing to the crowd. 

Now NBC edits to show things the way they want us to feel (as has been shown in the team event) but it looked like people were holding back the joy for this girl, Sandra Izbasa, who has trained every-bit as hard in undoubtedly harder circumstances (Romania went through a post-communist depression far worse than what we're going through) because the favorite lost. 

I'll venture a comparison, Tiger Woods from '01 and just blew a 4 shot lead on the 18th hole of the Masters to some nobody and instead of taking off his hat on the 18th hole and shaking his hand, he frowns at him, doesn't offer his hand, and walks off the green with a pissed-off look. 

If your sport says you take your hat off and shake hands, you do that. If it says you give a hug with a smile on your face no matter what, then you do that. Otherwise, stay on the sidelines.

I don't think so.
Look at athletes like Gabby Douglas and Missy Franklin. Even Jordan Weaver when she didn't make the all around finals. She cried, she moved on. You don't see them being poor sports when they lose - and poor sport is different than showing emotion, IMO. Did anyone catch Gabby's interview last night after she came in last on the bars? Pure class. 

I don't  see the event but I did see a athelelte profile vignette on her and could not help thinkning that she came accross as both conceited and dumb. I know she's young but still.. And they probably edited out the less flattering things out...

After reading your post, and seeing your mistakes, and not knowing a single thing about you, you come across to me as dumb as a box of hammers. 

How does that feel?  I don't mean it personally of course, BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW YOU!  I guess it's just as viable for me to judge you based on a few sentences (if that's what they are) as it is for you to judge an athlete based on a few seconds.

How does it feel to insult a 17 year old girl that you don't even know?

In my mind, being a good sport doesn't have caveats like age or experience or number of chances. Either you are, or you aren't. 

And of course the people of this thread have never failed to be their best selves in an emotionally charged and stressful situation, at least not on TV anyway.

Couple of things:

I said 'Don't judge me' because I was watching Gymnastics.  Nothing more than that. But I find it funny the projections from that.

I do find it humorous that most people are looking for excuses as to why poor sportsmanship is acceptable.  It's the Olympics, She's 17, She was home-schooled, She's mean, It's her only shot, etc.  You know what...NONE of that matters.  That's right..location does not matter. 

Have I been to the Olympics?  No..not even close.  Have I placed 1st, 2nd, DFL?  Yes I have.  And the reaction when I crossed the finish line each time, relative to my competition was the same.  You respect the effort put forth.

Being rude to the person that beat you OR to the person you beat is unacceptable at any age and location.  I don't care if you just lost or Won IronKids or Kona.  You can come up with all the excuses you want but she, in that moment, showed Poor Sportsmanship. 

I am NOT calling her names or taking that statement to mean anything about her personal life.  I don't know her, nor do I care to.  But I do know as a coach, when I have seen this happen you had better believe I step in and correct the athlete.  I have done this to both a 17 year old an a 40+ year old.  I will say it again, location and stage do not matter. 

x2

Let's not forget that people were PRAISING McKayla just days ago for being SO SELFLESS to just do ONE event at the Olympics then cheer her butt off for her teammates the rest of the team event.  That takes some class right there...to know you're not considered "good enough" except for one event and still go out there and compete?

So she finally gets her one moment in the sun during the vault finals and totally messed it up.  That will send anyone's head spinning.  IMHO she was probably trying to keep it together and smiling/hugging was not going to help her do that.