Bronze medalists appear happier than silver medalists.

Once you know this, you can’t not see it.

In a landmark 1995 study, bronze medalists appear happier than silver medal winners.

Why?

When they thought about the alternative outcome, THAT created their level of happiness.

When the silver medalists thought of an alternative outcome, it was winning gold.
When bronze medalists thought of an alternative outcome, it was zippo… not winning any medal.

I just saw Bobby Finke disappointed in his silver medal swim. He wanted the gold.

A key component of this phenomenon is that for humans, the pain of loss is more psychologically powerful than a gain of the same intensity.

We are wired to avoid pain.

I noticed it while watching the men’s Olympic gymnastics team finals. China was stunned (not in a good way) when they won the silver, but team USA was ecstatic when they won the bronze. 
So fun to watch.

I still think it would be surreal to win a silver medal.

But then, I am comparing it to not even being in Paris.
That’s my perspective.

On to the next event.