I have coached competitive basketball for a long time, almost 2 decades. I always tell my boys, when we lose, keep your mouth shut, shake hands, look them in the eye, hold your head high................... and in the locker room, when it is just the team, be as mad as you want. Within reason, I don't care what happens in private. Get it out of your system.
Some people don't like that advice, but I give it because I can completely relate to how awful standing in that medal ceremony is, getting the silver and watching the team that beat you get gold. It's the absolute worst feeling.
At the Olympic level, losing gold, what she did is nothing in my mind. She was sick to her stomach and blaming herself and made an emotional decision. If she were my little girl, I would be some proud. It's just not that big a deal.
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