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A 1995 study titled, "When less is more: Counterfactual thinking and satisfaction among Olympic medalists," studied photos to prove that bronze medal winners are happier than those who take home silver.
Subsequent studies have reached the same conclusion: Silver medalists hang their heads while bronze winners can barely contain their joy. Having listened to an overview of the studies recently on a "Revisionist History" podcast, we found the medal presentations at the Tokyo Olympics fascinating.
The Olympic Channel's evening news segment was the perfect place to see the studies be confirmed event after event. With a British-accented announcer providing dry narration and sometimes reading interpretations of what the athletes said, the broadcast aired brief highlights of event finals followed by portions of interviews with the three medal winners.
Wearing golden smiles, the top finishers were giddy. The most common quote we heard from silver medalists was, "I'm sorry." Other popular silver comments included, "It seems I did not work hard enough," and, "If only I had trained harder."
Meanwhile, the lowly bronze medalists were just as cheerful as the folks with gold medals slung around their necks. "I am so excited," was the most common comment we heard from them.
The studies found that silver medalists make "upward comparisons," while bronze medalists compare downward. "I could have been gold," versus, "I almost got no medal at all."
Sport teaches many lessons in life. With time, let's hope those runner-ups come to appreciate and celebrate their amazing accomplishments. Their sweat and sacrifice, the efforts of their parents, coaches, trainers and teammates, paid off with an Olympic silver medal! Let's also hope they comprehend that what they did in Tokyo does not matter as much as what they do afterward. It is time for them to give back.
At their best, athletics provide a safe place to experience life's highs and lows, to learn that hard work usually pays off, but not always. Many times, you must be lucky as well. Gut-wrenching losses teach that no matter how bad things are, the sun comes up the next day. Life goes on. That is healthy preparation for the moment they must deal with the loss of a loved one or a job or a marriage.
Sport teaches leadership and teamwork, sportsmanship and tenacity. Athletes lay bare their strengths and weaknesses for all to see.
The pandemic has put Hawaii high school sports on hold for a year and a half. With COVID-19 cases surging across the state, the start for the upcoming season has been paused to give public school athletes, coaches and volunteers time to be vaccinated. As life lessons go, this is a doozy.
If we were a high school player, coach or parent, we would be doing everything in our power to make sure the virus does not derail another season. The best tool to make sure competition happens? Get vaccinated.
* Editorials reflect the opinion of the publisher.