Real Athletes Show Respect
"Real Athletes Show Respect"
The 2008 theme for the United States Olympic Committee's education program is Respect.
Because sport is all about competition, athletes often find themselves in situations where they have to decide whether or not to show respect. For example, when a referee or umpire makes a bad judgment call, athletes have a choice: Do they accept the decision, or do they get angry and complain?
Is it better to show respect-even if you disagree?
When you watch the Olympic Games on television, you see athletes from all over the world compete against each other. How do they seem to treat one another?
Respect is the way one chooses to respond. Some people might say it's a lot like The Golden Rule, which is treating other people the same way you would like to be treated. Real athletes show respect for themselves, for their teammates, for their competitors, and for their sport. They are courteous and conduct themselves with dignity.
Examples:
- Valuing diversity-in race, ethnicity, gender, size, and ability
- Treating other athletes as equals-on your team, on another team, or from another country
- Congratulating your opponents on their victories
- Behaving on the field of play in a way that others admire
- Doing what is right
- Obeying the rules of competition and being willing to abide by the final results of play
- Refusing to harm your body or alter your performance with drugs
- Maintaining a positive attitude toward competition and your competitors
Respect builds self-confidence. It makes you and others feel better. So when you play sports, avoid making negative comments about other athletes, the officials, or even yourself. Don't look down on anyone. Real athletes show respect.
Olympic athletes aren't perfect, but they work hard at showing respect. They have a lot to say about showing respect too. On this site you'll find pdfs of posters, television public service announcements (PSAs) and athlete interviews focused on respect.
| Printable Brochure | |
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| Print this four-color pdf and fold to make a tri-fold brochure that tells the story of "Real Athletes Show Respect". | |
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| Download the new posters! | |
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| Click on the links and download different sizes: | |
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Kids | Emerging Athlete |
| Public Service Announcement (PSA) :30 spot "Real Athletes Show Respect" | Public Service Announcement (PSA) :30 spot "Real Athletes Show Respect" |
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| Tayyiba Haneef-Park - Women's Volleyball Filmed on location at the Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, CO & the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. Watch Now | Greta Neimanas - Paralympic Cycling Filmed on location at the Olympic Training Center and at the Velodrome, Colorado Springs, CO. Watch Now |
