1980 U.S. Olympians

[Ritterskoop]

Are finally getting their promised medals from Congress:

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/12/ ... Medals.php

[ne1410s]

I think this is very cool--if late.

[TheCalvinator24]

Are finally getting their promised medals from Congress:

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/12/ ... Medals.php

According to the article, they got the medals in 1980, but they were not recorded as recipients of the Congressional Gold Medal. It is that recording error that has been fixed.

[Ritterskoop]

According to the article, they got the medals in 1980, but they were not recorded as recipients of the Congressional Gold Medal. It is that recording error that has been fixed.

It was kind of confusing, true.

[BackInTex]

I find this offensive, awarding the highest civilian award the government can give, en-mass to all the atheletes. It cheapens the awards given to others who actually did something worthy, something other than being prevented from living a dream. Heck, the government prevents people from living their dream all the time. What about the parents of men and women who have children killed in combat during war time? They get only a flag, yet they gave up way more than these atheletes, many of whom were spoiled brats.

Am I alone here?

[Ritterskoop]

I find this offensive, awarding the highest civilian award the government can give, en-mass to all the atheletes. It cheapens the awards given to others who actually did something worthy, something other than being prevented from living a dream. Heck, the government prevents people from living their dream all the time. What about the parents of men and women who have children killed in combat during war time? They get only a flag, yet they gave up way more than these atheletes, many of whom were spoiled brats.

Am I alone here?

These athletes gave up years of the primes of their careers in a statement they did not choose.

I would support giving parents of lost soldiers some kind of recognition, sure.

But because such a recognition does not exist doesn't mean these folks shouldn't be recognized for what they had to give up.

Of course some of them were spoiled brats. Line up 50 random people, and some of them are spoiled brats. I don't find that relevant here.

[bazodee]

I'm not one to stoke the fires (usually), but I come close to agreeing with BiT.

These athletes had full competitive careers. Many were Olympians from 1976, or would be chosen for the team in 1984.

They all participated in national championships; most competed in world championships. Depending on the sport, they represented the USA at various world class sporting events, like the Pan Am Games or various World Cups. What they were denied was a chance to compete at one particular event, the 1980 Olympics. We are programmed to believe that the Olympics are the be-all and end-all of all athletic events and athletic careers (because it is televised). I have no doubt that all of these athletes were bitterly disappointed, but they had rich competitive careers.

The merits of the decision to boycott notwithstanding, I do feel sorry for these particular athletes. But I also feel sorry for the guy who finishes fourth at the US Olympic Trials in the 100 meter run. Disappointment is part of the game when you compete. It is not as if all their lives' work was for naught.

The Congressional Gold Medal is not the appropriate recognition. They had already been recognized for their ability (by making the US team); now we seem to be in the business of recognizing them for potential. Isn't this just piling on for what most people think was a bad decision? ... or is it Congress demonstrating its infinite wisdom and doing something, fairly meaningless, to make people feel good?

[BackInTex]

But because such a recognition does not exist doesn't mean these folks shouldn't be recognized for what they had to give up.

Of course some of them were spoiled brats. Line up 50 random people, and some of them are spoiled brats. I don't find that relevant here.

I guess we're different. I think awards should mean something, not be handed out simply because you 'participated', let alone because you didn't get to.

None of these folks deserved the highest honor given to civilians for not getting to do something. If making the Olympic team is all that is needed to earn the Congressional Medal of Honor, then there are a lot of other people who should get one.

I'm not saying these folks should not be given recognition, but recognize with the highest award? Give me a break.

[Ritterskoop]

But because such a recognition does not exist doesn't mean these folks shouldn't be recognized for what they had to give up.

Of course some of them were spoiled brats. Line up 50 random people, and some of them are spoiled brats. I don't find that relevant here.

I guess we're different. I think awards should mean something, not be handed out simply because you 'participated', let alone because you didn't get to.

None of these folks deserved the highest honor given to civilians for not getting to do something. If making the Olympic team is all that is needed to earn the Congressional Medal of Honor, then there are a lot of other people who should get one.

I'm not saying these folks should not be given recognition, but recognize with the highest award? Give me a break.

#1 this is not the Congressional Medal of Honor. That is reserved for military heroes (and is named only the Medal of Honor, though it's awarded by Congress).

This is a Congressional Gold Medal, which is reserved for civilians, like the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Wright brothers, Jonas Salk, Irving Berlin, Robert Frost, Robert Goddard, Walt Disney; folks like that. Plus a whole bunch of folks we never heard of, which puts them in good company with the athletes, some of them.

#2 There is indeed a lesser recognition level: the Congressional Silver Medal. Write Congress and tell them they made a mistake 27 years ago, and should have given these athletes that one.

[BackInTex]

#1 this is not the Congressional Medal of Honor. That is reserved for military heroes (and is named only the Medal of Honor, though it's awarded by Congress).

This is a Congressional Gold Medal, which is reserved for civilians,

Yes, I know. I mis-typed.

# like the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Wright brothers, Jonas Salk, Irving Berlin, Robert Frost, Robert Goddard, Walt Disney; folks like that. Plus a whole bunch of folks we never heard of, which puts them in good company with the athletes, some of them.

Good company, indeed. Still not deserving the highest honor. Lots of fine journalists let go when the Houston Post folded in 1995, but Pulitzer didn't see fit to award 124 Pulizer Prizes to any, let alone all of the out of work journalists who would not get to cover the 1996 elections. Maybe they should have. There were some good reporters.

##2 There is indeed a lesser recognition level: the Congressional Silver Medal. Write Congress and tell them they made a mistake 27 years ago, and should have given these athletes that one.

Why only this mistake? This one does not affect me, other than hurting my heart at the cheapening of what should be a high honor. No, I think I will simply state my disapproval here and let it be.

[wbtravis007]

I find this offensive, awarding the highest civilian award the government can give, en-mass to all the atheletes. It cheapens the awards given to others who actually did something worthy, something other than being prevented from living a dream. Heck, the government prevents people from living their dream all the time. What about the parents of men and women who have children killed in combat during war time? They get only a flag, yet they gave up way more than these atheletes, many of whom were spoiled brats.

Am I alone here?

No. You're not alone. I'm not offended, but would otherwise pretty much agree.

I'd let the ones who've said they're gay go ahead and keep theirs, though. They earned it.

[And I think that gay soldiers have, too.]

[wbtravis007]

I give Carter a lot of credit for breaking the back of the USSR.

A lot of people wanted us to pander to them.

Now, when somebody looks at us the wrong way, some of us want to just go ahead and blow them to smitherines.

A good many of those same people squealed like pigs when a meaningful but peaceful move was employed.

And they still do.

[BackInTex]

I give Carter a lot of credit for breaking the back of the USSR.

A lot of people wanted us to pander to them.

Now, when somebody looks at us the wrong way, some of us want to just go ahead and blow them to smitherines.

A good many of those same people squealed like pigs when a meaningful but peaceful move was employed.

And they still do.

I don't know about 'breaking the back' of the USSR, but I do agree with what Carter did regarding the 1980 Olympics. I don't recall my positon on the issue then, probably the same, but I don't recall. I don't agree much with acting like we're friends with enemies of humanity.

I wish we'd boycott the Beijing games. China has much wrong with it. But we should apply the same embargo restrictions we have on Cuba, first.

[gsabc]

I wish we'd boycott the Beijing games. China has much wrong with it. But we should apply the same embargo restrictions we have on Cuba, first.

Great Gadfry, what a thought! The screaming from the American business community would be heard on Jupiter. And the American politician who seriously suggested it would be launched there.

It will be interesting to see what happens to the Chinese environment, both physical and political, once the Games are over. I suspect that there is much that has been papered over and/or hidden in the vast reaches of the country already.

[Appa23]

I give Carter a lot of credit for breaking the back of the USSR.

That's a good one, WBT!

[rayxtwo]

I know someone from that Olympic team and the anger she felt at the time....well, she and her family gave up a lot. Mom worked a full time job, dad worked a full time job and two part time jobs just to support her dream. Her brother and sister gave up a lot of things in their life as well to help pay for her coaching. She was on the volleyball team and they thought they had a great chance to bring home the gold that year. We never found out if that would have been true.

Ten years of her life, and thousands of dollars were wasted because of this. She understood, but it still hurt,

Ray

[ulysses5019]

One of my best friends was on the that team too. He was on the crew team and rowed in the eight. He was the only member of his boat who continued to row and made the 1984 team. They were second to Canada. He is still mad at Carter.
The gold medals are unique. I wil see if I can post a picture of his.

[Appa23]

I know someone from that Olympic team and the anger she felt at the time....well, she and her family gave up a lot. Mom worked a full time job, dad worked a full time job and two part time jobs just to support her dream. Her brother and sister gave up a lot of things in their life as well to help pay for her coaching. She was on the volleyball team and they thought they had a great chance to bring home the gold that year. We never found out if that would have been true.

Ten years of her life, and thousands of dollars were wasted because of this. She understood, but it still hurt,

Ray

Well, as an elite-level volleyball player, all of that coaching and training got her a full-ride college scholarship. Plus, since she was good enough to play for the United States, she likely had the chance to play professional volleyball overseas.

[dimmzy]

[quote]
I know someone from that Olympic team and the anger she felt at the time....well, she and her family gave up a lot. Mom worked a full time job, dad worked a full time job and two part time jobs just to support her dream. Her brother and sister gave up a lot of things in their life as well to help pay for her coaching. She was on the volleyball team and they thought they had a great chance to bring home the gold that year. We never found out if that would have been true.

Ten years of her life, and thousands of dollars were wasted because of this. She understood, but it still hurt, [/quote]

I would hesitate to say "wasted" because surely she got something out of the sport. And I bet the members of the 1962 US Figure Skating Team wish that we had boycotted the World Championships that year. They were all killed in a plane crash on the way there.

[silvercamaro]

Well, as an elite-level volleyball player, all of that coaching and training got her a full-ride college scholarship. Plus, since she was good enough to play for the United States, she likely had the chance to play professional volleyball overseas.

HD, I think you're wrong. (Gee, I know nobody has ever said that before.) Amateur athletes in 1980 got very few of the perks that are taken for granted today. It's possible that she got a full scholarship -- as a female athlete, the odds are better than for a male in a "minor" (non-revenue-producing) sport -- but not necessarily. The possibility of going to the Olympics was THE perk, the dream, the chance that motivated everyone (and the members of their families who also made sacrifices.)

At that, IF there were professional volleyball leagues somewhere in the world in that era, the pay likely was very small.

Jimmy Carter made a political decision about something that always had been, and was supposed to be, outside of politics.

[tlynn78]

I'm with Shinycar. I had a friend on the team, Kathy Johnson(now Clark). She was on my high school gynastic team for a short time, til her training demands made it unfeasible. She did get the opportunity to go on and captained the 1984 ladies gymnastic team in LA, so she at least got the 'dream,' but that's not the case for a large number of the athletes. I'm glad they are getting their due recognition.

t.

[Appa23]

Well, as an elite-level volleyball player, all of that coaching and training got her a full-ride college scholarship. Plus, since she was good enough to play for the United States, she likely had the chance to play professional volleyball overseas.

HD, I think you're wrong. (Gee, I know nobody has ever said that before.) Amateur athletes in 1980 got very few of the perks that are taken for granted today. It's possible that she got a full scholarship -- as a female athlete, the odds are better than for a male in a "minor" (non-revenue-producing) sport -- but not necessarily. The possibility of going to the Olympics was THE perk, the dream, the chance that motivated everyone (and the members of their families who also made sacrifices.)

At that, IF there were professional volleyball leagues somewhere in the world in that era, the pay likely was very small.

Jimmy Carter made a political decision about something that always had been, and was supposed to be, outside of politics.

With Title IX having been passed several years earlier, it is an educated guess that schools had started awarding volleyball scholarships around 1980. In reading a story about Flo Hyman, I note that she was awarded a full scholarship by the University of Houston in the early-to-mid 1970s.

There definitely were professional women's volleyball leagues in Europe and Japan at that time, and they continue to this day. There always have been more opportunities for professional women athletes abroad than in the United States. (For example, WUSA and WNBA members made/make much more money during their playing season in Europe and Asia than when they come back to the USA to play during their season here.)

I am reading reports that professional leagues pay six-figure salaries for elite-level players, such as Sarah Pavan of Nebraska.

In any event, unlike other sports, women volleyball and basketball players did have overseas professional league options during that time frame. The athletes who could be truly upset for missing their "one shot at glory" would be female gymnasts, where the window of opprtunity is so narrow.


BTW, with the exception of college football, there is nothing bigger in Nebraska than college volleyball.

[macrae1234]

What about all the medals won in LA in 1984 by US atheletes when the Soviet bloc wasn't there particularly Russia and East Germany. Would Mary Lou Retton for one have dominated with other Soviet Gymnists Ekaterina Szabo of Romania not withstanding and most important Soviet Bloc judges.

[silvercamaro]

What about all the medals won in LA in 1984 by US atheletes when the Soviet bloc wasn't there particularly Russia and East Germany. Would Mary Lou Retton for one have dominated with other Soviet Gymnists Ekaterina Szabo of Romania not withstanding and most important Soviet Bloc judges.

Undoubtedly the medal listings would have varied somewhat in a range of sports. At that time in history, however, we were accustomed to the athletes from the Soviet bloc countries being screwed over by their governments. Until 1980, in our national naivete, it hadn't yet occurred to us that our own government might do it to us.