attyfan said:You misunderstand me. I agree that all athletes hope to win. Where I disagree is that athletes who all want to win will talk about in that manner, or that downplaying the desire will stifle the ambitions. I think a lot of athletes will talk about how all they want to do is do their best because that line of talk makes it easier for them to put aside the "medal focus", as opposed to making major "mental shifts" midway during the season. I also don't believe that the only time skaters need to set aside the "medal focus" is during their skate; they need to set it aside during training, etc. -- or they won't be able to set it aside during their skates.
Well, the skaters train what- every day? I think you have a point, but methinks the skaters have to work towards SOMETHING in their practices. I'm sure they are trying to get jumps, spins, etc. down for the big day. I really don't think the skaters forget about the medals during their training- I find that hard to believe. But my question is, if they have to put aside their medal focus for their training, their skate, AND their interviews, when can they NOT put it aside? In other words, are the skaters just in it to "skate their best"? I don't think so- I think they are in it to BE the best. And that translates into winning gold medals.
I agree with you when you say that athletes say they want to do their best to maybe detract from thinking about the medals. But I'm saying that no amount of being PC can truly hide the amount of ambition a skater has. Like I said before, just take a look at a skater who believes they've been "robbed". Many times a skater will be mad because she didn't skate her best, but a skater typically will also not be happy if she thinks she's been robbed (the ambition part).
I hope I make sense- I was trying to type this up quickly