The Chicago Cubs took a double-digit winning streak into their weekend series last weekend, Alex Rodriguez announced his release from the New York Yankees, and pre-season NFL football are some huge headlines that have appeared in the sport's world here recently. Let's be real, though: The 2016 Rio Olympics have dominated the world of sports talk since they began last week.
There's the beloved Simone Biles doing her thing in gymnastics, Katie Ledecky flat-out blowing all her competition out of the water (literally), the women's soccer team being straight up embarrassed by the Sweden Women's National Team in the later part of last week, and of course, America's favorite, Michael Phelps, doing what he does best: raking in all the gold he can get in his final games as an Olympian (maybe).
Whether you're watching the Games because you're all out "'Merica," or you're in it for Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte's bodies (ladies, you know you're at least partially guilty), you can't help but feel proud to be an American with the performances our athletes have put together.
While I'm completely stoked that we as a country are running away with the games as far as medal count (U-S-A...U-S-A!), I can't help but contemplate one thing, er, one person -- Ryan Lochte.
Hear me out -- this is not an article bashing Ryan Lochte and all that he has done. As an American and a resident of the city Lochte trains in, I'm one big Ryan Locate fan, but I can't help but think of the emotions that are going through his head right now. Yeah, sure, nervous, ecstatic, adrenaline-filled feelings have most likely consumed his body here in the past month and even the past games he has competed in. Those aren't the feelings I've had in mind, though.
Take a look back at the years past. To put it all in perspective, as of August 10, Phelps (21) has over three times the number of gold medals than Lochte (6) has. This dude Lochte has been playing backseat to Phelps for practically his whole career. If Phelps is in the pool, we just assume that he'll win yet another gold and Lochte will bring the rest of the pack behind him. Even take the relay races that the United States competes in. Any gold that the American swimmers have taken home has been credited to the whole team. Who has gotten the most credit though? Why, Phelps of course.
You have to feel bad for Mr. Lochte. I'm not sure the feelings he has towards the whole situation, but you have to think he's become a little tired of playing second place to Phelps. We're talking training all your life for these opportunities, only to somewhat be guaranteed a silver medal -- at best. But I think we as his American fans can learn something valuable from Ryan Lochte.
There are plenty of people in this country -- in this world -- who can empathize with Ryan Lochte through the situation he's going through.
OK, obviously we're not Olympic swimmers who are swimming and finishing behind the legendary Michael Phelps (but don't some of us wish we were?). A lot of us end up playing second to many people we come in contact with on a daily basis, some of them even being our closest friends and family -- our "swimming partners."
Sure, this feeling that many of these people experience is frustrating. I'm preaching to the choir when I make this statement, because yours truly has definitely been in this position before and definitely will be again in years to come. That's how life works. I think although they're not finishing "first," they still have some awesome things to bring to this world.
They're bringing in the silvers that are practically just as valuable and useful. They're hardworking, giving all they've got. They're the ones with just as good ideas and thoughts, if not better. They're the ones with diligent work ethic. They represent themselves, and they represent the people well. They are quality individuals who, perhaps, are meant to take the backseat in life for awhile. You kind of feel obliged to pity them. But don't worry, I have a feeling Ryan Lochte's time will come. If you're a "Ryan Lochte," your time will come. Your hard work and "training" will pay off in the long run, possibly even in ways you would have never thought.
Readers, don't fall asleep on these truly special, "second place" people.
Don't forget about the Ryan Lochte's of the world.
