BRONZE MEDALISTS IS HAPPIER THAN SILVER MEDALISTS.
Based on a 1995 study of photos and interviews with medal winners, psychologists looked at photographs and listened to audio interviews to found that bronze winners were subjectively more happy than the silver-medal winners. They set hypothesis that silver medalists were disappointed as they being compared to gold medal winners, while bronze athletes were happy as they are lucky enough to win a medal.
Rummel—who won bronze in 2012—was a little disappointed at first, but then he realized it’s special lucky and allow himself to celebrate and be proud of it. Although it depends on the sport such as a basketball team in a semifinal match might be happy to get bronze compare to nothing at all.
THEY SWAP CLOTHES.
When the U.S. teams went in for processing before traveling to Olympic Village, they’re entering the world’s biggest high-end sale of apparel from sponsors of top sport brands like Nike and Ralph Lauren and athletes are free to use as much as they like. “You get many bags full of nice stuff,” Malloy shared. “You have to wear sport clothes all the time and it is enough to wear for whole two weeks, but then we end up trading amongst ourselves.”
THEY GET TAXED FOR WINNING.
Some countries offer significant perks for bringing home gold medals: Russian athletes can be awarded with high-end cars and six-figure cash prizes. The U.S. Olympic Committee has an appealing reward structure, with $10,000 cash awarded to bronze medalists, $15,000 cash for silver, and $25,000 cash for gold. While the medal itself can not be exchanged for any monetary value, the cash is considered considerable income although they do have to pay tax.
THEY NEED TO TIPTOE AROUND.
Because so many events are hosted over the course of two-week period, athletes who have wrapped up their competitions can celebrate but must be mindful of other athletes who are still on deck. “When people are finished their competition, it is time to turn into party atmosphere, but we must be respectful and make no noise ordinance, and no booze inside the Village.