A Bitter Olympics For Some

By: Stephen Conway

When you think of the olympics you think of great competition, representation, and the chance to go for gold and this was all present during the 2016 Rio Olympics but there were also a few controversial situations that promoted negative attention specifically stemming from two American athletes. 

Some remarks come with consequences
(Photo Creds: Greg Bartram)

The first athlete that we will be focusing on is Hope Solo, the decorated United States women’s national soccer team (USWNT) goalie. After an surprising loss to Sweden during the quarterfinals the Americans were clearly upset with there 4-3 shootout defeat. Following the game Hope Solo had much to say about the Swedes labeling them as “a bunch of cowards” for there consecrative strategies that they took during the overtime shootout, following that comment she went on to say that “The best team did not win today” these comments toward the Swedes was a poor show of sportsmanship and was a bad reflection of what the USWNT represents. After these comments were made publicly the USWNT gave Solo a six month suspension from international play then later Solo’s contract was terminated to urge Solo to clean up her off the field acts and to make her earn her spot on the team back by showing a change in sportsmanship and mentality. Comments like these should stay off the record no matter how upset someone is after a loss, an athlete on this high of a stage should be a model of a gracious loser not a sore loser. 

Trust is the most fragile thing you can't touch
(Photo Cred: Stanislav Krasilnikov)

The next controversial event that happened outside of competition involved American swimmer Ryan Locate and three other American swimmers. Reportedly during early morning hours the four drunken American Swimmers were making there way back from a party and decided to stop at a local Rio gas station where they began to vandalize the gas station bathroom, breaking mirrors and other things. This was not the story that Lochte had originally reported to Rio officials, Lochte originally stated that there was a robbery and that the four swimmers were held at gun point by a man who was impersonating a Rio police officer. This false story left out any account of a gas station and leaving out the vandalism, the gas station's video recording does show the four swimmers sitting on the curb outside of the gas station with there hands up while being confronted by security officers but Rio officials said there were never guns drawn. The four swimmers were charged with reporting a falsified crime, Rio officials held three of the swimmers in Brazil while somehow Lochte returned to the United States. This act committed by the four swimmers is inexcusable and tarnishes the reputation of American athletes. This whole incident shows a total lack of accountability on all four of the swimmers parts regardless of how much they had to drink that night. 

The two examples of these athletes should be a great lesson of what not to do when you step out of the athletic spotlight into the everyday life because when you are an athlete of that esteem you are always in the spotlight.