Episode 94- The Truth About Why Olympic Athletes “Die Twice”
Scandalized sprinters, aging bicyclists, and Russian cheaters. What can we learn from Athletes who can’t let go of being seen as exceptional?
If you saw the Winter Olympics this year, you may have unwittingly witnessed the end of an athlete’s career…at just 15 years old. Kamila Valieva, the figure skater at the center of the Russian doping scandal, broke down crying on world news. You would be right to assume it was a combination of shame and disappointment from falling during her performance and getting caught doping. But there was more to her tears than losing one event. The Russian Olympics committee historically never sends athletes to compete a second time after they’ve been shamed. Up until now, Kamila Valieva has lived her life as an Olympic hopeful. So what is she now?
On this episode Todd and Joe talk about Kamila, and several other Olympic athletes, who absolutely refused to look inward for their greatness. Instead they committed shocking crimes, marred their own reputations, and destroyed their good name, all to recapture the thrill (and money) of their peak years. We also look into the work of the world’s foremost expert on elite athletes and how they reintegrate into normal life. And we translate how being an Olympic medalist might compare with the self-importance of having a fancy job title like ‘President’ or ‘CEO’.
History Links:
https://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/February-2019/Bicycle-Bank-Robber-Tom-Justice/
https://historythings.com/choir-boy-bandit-robbed-26-banks-98-2002-just-bicycle/
https://www.bicycling.com/news/a26081001/cyclist-turned-bank-robber-tom-justice/
https://www.si.com/olympics/2015/09/09/suzy-favor-hamilton-olympics-las-vegas-escort
Science Links:
https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210409-why-we-define-ourselves-by-our-jobs
https://www.abertay.ac.uk/staff-search/professor-david-lavallee/