Thursday, August 2, 2012

Should All Olympic Medals Weight the Same

For once, I have actually been keeping up with the olympics. For reference, I normally just watch or sleep through the opening ceremonies and call it good. I have to say, this time the ceremonies were spectacular! From historical celebration to entertainment trivia, the opening ceremonies was a movement unbelievably well rehearsed and well done. If you have not seen it, this is the one part of the olympics you should watch.

I've watched a lot of the gymnastics, some of the swimming, the kayaking, the track and field, and the bicycling. And after watching so many of the events and so many different young people competing, all I can really say is how impressed I am at all of the individuals. It took several long years of hard work and training, several other dreams put on hold, and even loves set aside to achieve that power and body control that they have. So even if they don't take home a medal, they should all know it really is an honor to be in London competing in the Olympics.

But in watching the games, with friends and family, I've slowly come to wonder a new question. Should all the medals behind the olympics be rated the same? What really brought this question up is Michael Phelps, who has just passed the record for most medals in the olympic games. But he's a swimmer, and swimming has probably the most competitions if not the most competitions and possible medals to be won. Compared to someone who has to play several games of basketball or soccer to earn one medal, do they compare equally?

I'm not going to go into much detail on this, but more just trying to get everyone thinking why Phelps deserves more glory for winning at three swimming races than the volleyball team deserves for winning three rounds of volleyball.

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