The Ugly American is alive and well at the Rio Olympics.
Americans have become notorious for antics during the Games over the years. Sometimes, U.S. athletes’ celebrations after victories have been over the top.
I think, however, there’s an element of jealousy on the part of those throwing verbal mud at the Americans. The U.S. team historically dominates the Summer Games. This year has been no exception.
There are two American athletes who have claimed gold medals in bad sportsmanship in Rio. And complaints about their actions have nothing to do with jealousy.
Hope Solo is the goalkeeper for the U.S. women’s soccer team. She has frequently feuded with teammates and coaches. She’s also facing charges for allegedly assaulting her half-sister and 17-year-old nephew in 2014.
Even before the Games, Solo roiled the U.S. team by saying she might skip Rio because of fears about contracting the mosquito-borne Zika virus.
The U.S. women, who had won three consecutive Olympic titles, went into the Games as heavy favorites to become the first team to win an Olympic gold following a Women’s World Cup title. Instead, they lost to Sweden in the quarterfinals, 4-3 on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw.
Solo did not keep it classy, saying afterward, “I thought that we played a courageous game. ... But I also think we played a bunch of cowards. The best team did not win today. I strongly believe that.”
Sweden is coached by Pia Sundhage, who coached the Americans for five years and won gold medals at the Beijing and London Olympics. She once described Solo as “a piece of work.”
Told of Solo’s remarks after the match, Sundhage said, “I’m going to Rio, and she’s going home.”
Using Sundhage’s “cowardly” conservative, defensive tacts, the Swedes advanced to today’s gold medal game against Germany.
A firestorm of criticism of Solo followed her remarks. Even her U.S. teammates distanced themselves from Solo’s tirade.
Did Solo apologize or admit that she didn’t play well in the Olympics, including giving up the game-winning penalty kick?
No. The best she could muster was an email saying, “I’m bad at (losing).”
Solo is even worse at taking responsibility.
The Washington Post’s Sally Jenkins wrote of Solo, “She’s a chronically rattled and rattling soul ... Let’s face it: For every shiny marketing moment and big victory she’s been a part of, she’s given the U.S. a nasty unwanted drama. The victories usually smoothed over her behavior. Not this time. This time she went pure loser and lout.”
U.S. swimmer Ryan Lochte put an Ugly American cherry on top of Rio by claiming that he and three teammates were robbed early Sunday morning after a night of partying. Lochte and company omitted a few things from their story, including the truth.
Brazilian police said Thursday that the intoxicated U.S. swimmers vandalized a gas station bathroom and were questioned by armed guards before they paid about $50 for the damage and left. Their antics were caught on video.
Lochte and his teammates seemingly thought their crime story was a big joke. The Brazilian police weren’t laughing, though.
Police said the swimmers had been unable to provide key details, claiming they were drunk at the time of the holdup. Police grew suspicious when video showed the swimmers returning to the athletes village wearing watches, which would have likely been taken in a robbery.
Lochte beat it out of town early in the week. Two of the U.S. swimmers who were with him were taken off a plane at the Rio airport on Wednesday and questioned by police. They told police that Lochte lied about the incident. They were allowed to leave early today.
The fourth swimmer agreed to donate $10,800 to an “institution” and was scheduled to leave Rio today as well. Under Brazilian law, a donation can be made to avoid prosecution for minor offenses.
Lochte’s attorney had been insisting that the story wasn’t made up. But this morning, the swimmer apologized for his behavior and “not being more careful or candid” in how he described events.
It was easy for Lochte to admit that he lied now that he’s likely beyond the reach of Brazilian law enforcement.
Why would Lochte make up a story like that? Maybe he’s not very bright — have you seen his hair (blue and bleached blonde)? He was also the subject of a parody on “Saturday Night Live.” Or perhaps he’s trying to land another reality TV series after “What Would Ryan Lochte Do?” flopped.
Cable TV’s Esquire Network will re-air all eight episodes of the show tonight, so I guess Lochte wins again.
When you’re competing for a U.S. Olympic team, you’re representing the nation. So try to show sportsmanship, class and, yes, intelligence during and after the competition — even if you have to fake it.
• Contact Charles Corder at 581-7241 or ccorder@gwcommonwealth.com.
