Posted by Leslie at Aug 14, 2012 6:00 am
Well, the Olympics are over. I really enjoyed watching several of the events–loved the swimming, gymnastics and track & field in particular. I am in awe of Michael Phelps and think it’s pretty fantastic that we all got to bear witness to the birth of a legend whose name will go down in history.
But some of the news coverage I’ve seen regarding the Olympics got me thinking about something the other day. A lot of news commentators call Phelps and other Olympic athletes who are AMAZINGLY talented and gifted and a true credit to their nations, “Hero.”
I dunno. Is it just me? I have a problem with that word used in that context.
To me, a hero is the firefighter who races into a burning building and rescues a family. A hero is a cop who stops a murderer from killing again, who thwarts an act of terrorism, or defends his country or his family, willing to lay down his life to do what is right.
Athletes, in my opinion, just aren’t “heroes.” They’re to be admired, congratulated and held up as the epitome of sportsmanship and physical prowess. We should sing their praises and be proud of them and cheer their victories, but I just don’t know that they should be called “heroes.”
It seems like the word is just tossed around too easily–and I’m not talking about the heroes of our books. I mean in everyday life, words just don’t seem to be used as carefully or respectfully as they should. To me, the word hero is something that should be reserved for guys like Captain Sully who set down the plane in the Hudson, or Sergeant Dennis Weichel who was struck and killed while saving an Afghan child from getting run down in the street a few months ago.
Athletes = Awesome.
But they’re not necessarily heroes.
Am I alone in feeling this way? Anybody else ever have that reaction? And what did you think of the Olympics? What was your favorite “moment”?
I agree with you. They are awesome, but not heroes in my eyes. I had many favorite moments, but watching Gabby Douglas win gold in the all-around is at the top of my list.
I completely agree with you. The definition of hero seems to have morphed into somewhat of a catch all phrase instead of reserved for this who go out and do heroic things. Captain Sully and military personnel both foreign and domestic as well as certain government agents who go out and risk life and limb so that we may enjoy a more peaceful life are heroes.
I watched some of the Olympics: T&F mostly, swimming, some Bball, volleyball: beach and regular and gymnastics. I really enjoyed what I saw. It’s been a long one since I sat down and deliberately turned to the channel broadcasting it. Lot’s of fun. Was very proud of my Jamaicans…we rocked the lanes in many a T event. Very proud of the Americans too. My favorite moment though was watching Pistorius race. He makes you believe anything is possible. In my mind he could be looked upon as a hero for all those out there who believe their lives are over because they have lost limbs. He is very courageous and I truly admire him and what he has down.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
I also agree with you. It takes real dedication and talent to do what these athletes do and represent the USA. I don’t feel that they are heros at all.
Have a great day!
We have firefighters, our forces, our cops who put their lives on the line each and every day, those are heroes.
Athletes? well they’re great and they do represent our nations but that’s it.
You are so right. The military men and women who protect us (and the world) and the family members who support them–they are true heroes. God bless them.
Hello Leslie and good question. They are not “heroes” and that word does get put upon people whom are not just as you described. My current outrage is tacking the “Wars” on everything. Do you notice that on a MAJORITY of “REALITY SHOWS” they throw the word “WAR” around tooooooo much? :*&#!: Considering were we are as a country right now and really what a war truly is this word should be abolished from REALITY SHOW titles. CUPCAKE WARS ANY ONE? :*&#!: :*&#!: :*&#!: :*&#!: :*&#!: :*&#!: Stepping off soapbox now. :soapbox:
A hero is someone who inspires you. If Phelps etc makes someone feel inspired and then goes for their dream or just tries to live a better life they are a hero to them. I don’t think you have to risk life a limb to be considered a hero. There are people who do lots of charitable work for the poor etc. People who give a lot a large part of their life too. They are hero’s
I think there are many definitions to the word hero myself.
Don’t you remember as a kid looking up to someone?
Lisa B
I call them “An Inspiration”.
I agree. They are talented & awesome, but not heroes. A hero saves someone(s) without regard for themselves. They make a huge commitment to their community. They “do” it for others, not for themselves. It’s the giver, not the taker.
I’m with you, I think the term hero is misused in the media. But don’t get me started on the media! I do admire those dedicated athletes that train hard to get to the Olympics, to excel at their sport but I don’t think of them as heroes. Some of my favorite moments watching the Olympics were seeing the parents of the athletes, especially Michael Phelps Mom. She is priceless. Kudos to Michael Phelps for being the most decorated Olympian. :thumbsup: I do hope he will go on to do something useful with his life. I loved watching Gabby Douglas “fly”. When she smiles she just sparkles! :applause: Watching Pistouris run was awesome, no other word fits. He is to be admired as an example that you can do anything despite what life throws at you.
I loved watching Ashton Eaton with his mom after he won the Decathalon!
I also agree. They may be amazing athletes but they are not what I would consider a hero.
My favorite moment was when K James traded his race bib (name) with Pistorius after their race. :applause: What an awesome gesture.
Hi Leslie! I totally agree with you on this. While I agree that athletes are amazing and a wonderful inspirtation I do not think they are heros. Heros are those men and women who risk their own lives to save another. Heros are those men and women who serve and protect our way of life. The Military who signed over their lives to make this world a better place for the rest of us. Or the firemen who charges into a burning building to save a complete stranger. I have many real heros in my life including my Husband who is a retired Marine, my brother-in-law who is about to retire after over 20 years of service, my nephew who is an active Marine and my other nephew who is active Air Force. Not to mention a bunch of former military like my dad, my father-in-law and my uncle. They are the true heros. The ones who really deserve that title. :flag:
oh with my rant I forgot to tell my favorite Olympic moment, lol! Mine had to be watching Michael Phelps swim and win. He is an amazing athlete! I hate that we won’t be able to see him race again, but I’m glad I got to see it while it happened!
Right there with you on this one, Leslie! I don’t even consider most athletes to be role models anymore, given the poor social performance by some of them. Athletes are people who have some talent, work hard to get better, and find their spot competing. (This from the mother of an athlete, FYI.) But heroes? Nope. They are just people. I can cheer them on, or boo them (not that I would), but I’ll reserve my kudos for those who truly are heroic.
As for the Olympics, I suppose this is the moment when I duck my head and mutter under my breath that I watched maybe a total of ten minutes of it? Every time I clicked on to see something I was interested in, NBC was showing something else–the SAME something else on every freaking channel. Maybe it was just my timing but still… *shrug* I kept up with the winners and losers by other means.
Honestly, that’s how I usually am with the winter Olympics!
:rotfl1:
You are not alone!
Fave moment – watching Oliver P run and Misty May and Kerri Walsh win GOLD!
LOVED seeing Misty & Kerry win too!
The word Hero gets tossed around just as much as the words Super Star and Legend does in Hollywood. Athletes can inspire, and maybe to a child be a “hero”, but in reality they are just hardworking people- like the majority of us.
My fave moment? Seeing one of my fellow co-workers in the opening ceremonies!! (He was one of the Dickens Characters in the beginning)
Sorry I have been out of the loop the last couple of days (darn cell service that didn’t happen).
Totally agree with you on the heroes.
Favorite olympic moment (there were lots), just seeing the runner from South Africa run with the ‘regular able bodied” athletes (hopefully, some day that won’t be an unusual thing, we can all just be integrated), watching Gabby fly, watching Franklin swim (she’s so normal, I hope she stays that way), even though it made me so sad, watching the weight of the African-American gymnast with the weight of trying to get his family into a better living situation by trying to get a gold medal (to get endorsements), Jordyn Weiber, the epitomy of class, someone who was expected to win the all around and didn’t qualify, because of the rules and then came back and helped her team win the gold medal….so many to even list here. I love the dedication to their sports that all of the athletes exhibit. They don’t complain, they don’t whine (well, most don’t). There was a wrestler who won a gold medal (from the US) who moved to Iowa State to train with the last guy who won an olympic gold medal. He was supported by a scholarship program through USA wrestling and because he got the gold, got $250K. He said that was the icing…winning for him, his coach and then his country was awesome enough. There’s not a lot of endorsement in it for him, but good for him!
I don’t want to sound unamerican but the least favorite thing was hearing that 2 of their parents were filing bankrupcy…I could not i n good conscience do that to my family…I would like to do things for my kids but as they say if u do for 1 you do for the other…am I wrong?
I just hope those 2 help their parents out now that they have contracts one was the black gymist and the other was the swimmer think his name is Ryan..
Donna
I agree with you completely!
I agree. Maybe they are using the word hero because they inspire people, especially kids, to work hard & follow their dreams. However, you are right in that the concept of here should be reserved for someone who saves lives.
I meant “hero” not “here”!
I totally agree with your view on the use of hero to describe these athletes. They are an inspiration for younger athletes to admire. I love the AT&T commercials when a young person was watching a race someone did the day before and a new WR came up. That new records set a goal for the young person to strive for. I loved the caption of the Olympics itself, ‘inspire a generation.’ I think some of these did but to call them heroes is not the write term for them.
I loved watching the beach volleyball girl teams both play their games an really work for their medals. Misty and Kerry were incredible. :flag:
I never really heard olympians called heroes. They are a credit to their countries, but I agree with you; firefighters, policeman and our military are the heroes.
Totally agree with you! A hero put his or her life on the line everyday fighting to protect us whether at home or overseas. While I do think the olympic athletes are great, I would not define them as heroes.
I always used to read piece of writing in news papers but now as I am
a user of net so from now I am using net for articles, thanks to web.
At this moment I am ready to do my breakfast, once having
my breakfast coming again to read additional news.