I have watched very little of the Olympic games. Evidently I missed a great deal of excitement, as the television ratings for these games has been high. When I have watched, however, I have been struck by the disappointment expressed by many silver and bronze recipients. I don't recall that this has always been the case. I am not talking about those who were expected to win gold or those who came very close to achieving it, but fell short. (The chap who lost to Michael Phelps by a fingernail comes to mind.) There was a time--or so I imagine--when winning a medal was an exciting thing and a symbol of tremendous achievement. No more. It's gold or nothing. Has the culture of competition bred this?