Is President Medvedev Being Fair to the Russian Team?

I find it too mean and harsh for President Dmitri A. Medvedev of Russia, to oblige the resignation of anyone from the Russian delegation; who allegedly are responsible for the poor performance of their athletes on the recent Vancouver Winter Olympics 2010.

"Those who bear the responsibility for Olympic preparations should carry that responsibility. It's totally clear," the Russian Chief Executive said. "I think that the individuals responsible, or several of them, who answer for these preparations, should take the courageous decision to hand in their notice. If we don't see such decisiveness, we will help them."

First of all, President Medvedev should realize that everybody did their best. All these years, their athletes have competed so well and have kept their status quo season after season in the past Olympics. Be gymnasts, weight lifters, wrestlers, boxers, fencers, shooters, chess players, cross country skiers, biathletes, speed skaters, figure skaters and even track-and-field athletes; name it, they're one of the best in the world!

They were also seen consistent in playing basketball, handball, volleyball and ice hockey. It is just that we can't guarantee that athletes can grab gold all the time. They grow old too, they get tired too; they have their own flaws and limitations, just like everyone of us. Although, they imposed strict discipline among themselves and they go to rigid trainings in preparation of the Olympics, they just can't tell, what lies out there when they compete, neither how their competitors would perform too.

President Medvedev is imposing such unrealistic, towering standards, when he's not at all setting a good example at all. Regardless, if he didn't named names, still, he shouldn't be doing that. He's discouraging his own men; mentally torturing not just the athletes, but, the rest of the team.

No one wanted to lose and everyone wants to win. It is just that sometimes luck is so elusive and that there's time for everything.

On Men's Figure Skating alone, Plushenko reigned for awhile. His performance at Vancouver was spectacular. It's just that someone performed a little better than he did. But, it doesn't mean that Evgeni did bad because, he didn't get gold and that he's already a disgrace to his country.

All the Olympians all over the world, in every Olympic, have been doing their best; competing with all their might and with all their hearts, not just to bring honor and pride to themselves, but, more for their country. So, with or without the gold medal, or any medal, they deserve no less than but a warm welcome, not threats and humiliations, especially not coming from their own President. And this goes for the rest of the team as well. From the coaches and all the staff, everyone did put so much efforts and emotions just for their bets, their Olympians to make it to the podium.

I guess, what disappointed President Medvedev was his own lapse; the point that he committed and pressured the team to bring home 40 medals and they ended up with 15. In the first place, no one should have committed with any figures at all, period!

President Medvedev shouldn't be ashamed of the 15 medals that the Russian Olympians have brought home with them. But, he should be ashamed of his attitude because, it's really unbecoming of a leader to make a big fuss out of such trivial issues. And, it is definitely a disgrace for any President not to recognize the efforts vested by the Olympians to represent their country. That is so disgusting, truly unbecoming!

"Someone who failed can't be called a loser, not unless he looks for someone else to blame," Pres. John F. Kennedy