If these Olympics remind me of anything, it is that getting a medal is about more than just showing up. This morning all the networks in Des Moines congratulated Shawn Johnson on getting her gold...finally. Not to diminish anything this girl has done, but it seems hardly worth the celebration. I mean, Shawn Johnson was supposed to win FOUR of these things, was she not? She was supposed to be the mini-Michael Phelps, the new American golden sweetheart. Heck, she's even hawking $500 golden pendants for Brodkeys. And yet there was no guarantee she was going to get that gold medal. Just the eager expectation that she would...in some cases, the over-zealous expectation that she would win in her quest for gold. Just watch the Hy-Vee commercials.
If anyone has this thing in perspective, it is Shawn herself. While most of the state of Iowa, and indeed the rest of the country itself, felt disappointed for her three silvers it was Shawn who had the solid gold attitude. "I'm happy to get any medal," she said. She didn't just say that...she looked like she meant it. By all accounts, she was having the time of her life at these Olympics. She went so far as to say that her competitors were just as talented as she was and that even if she got last place she would be happy to be there. At 16 she somehow manages to be more mature that I am at 31. (Yes, I did yell at the TV, the judges, her teammates, and the Chinese gymnasts...everyone who was messing up her chances!) In a nation of people, myself included, who feel rather entitled to every honor they receive it is nice to know that somewhere there is someone who can step back and bring a little perspective to the jingo-istic medal fest that has become the Olympics.
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