AIBU for being sick of Olympic Athletes being called 'Heroes'

[HoveringKestrel]

I know, I know, its great to be healthy. And I know that the atheletes did the UK proud when the World was watching.

I also know I would rather my hypothetical children listen to an athlete and wonderful role model like Jessica Ennis than somebody like Katie Price or somebody off Made In Chelsea.

But sometimes, on talk shows, I would rather hear about the 'Dedicated Midwife' or the 'Excellent Samaritan'

I'm probably not saying my point properly, because it might just be a thought I can't put into words. So am I being unreasonable?

[somedayma]

no one cares about the dedicated midwife or the excellent samaritan. I completely see what you're saying but people are interested in public figures and famous people, not some random NHS worker.

[HoveringKestrel]

But....Samaritans are not paid, so they're not NHS, I would just associate the word 'Hero' with someone who helps save a life or do ssomething selflessly.

[ComposHat]

But sometimes, on talk shows, I would rather hear about the 'Dedicated Midwife' or the 'Excellent Samaritan'

Wouldn't make for gripping TV though would it? A bunch of dull but worthies being praised for doing their jobs.

Mind you if you were a midwife, spending your working day starring at a fanny would be excellent preparation for meeting Jonathan Ross.

[HoHoHoNoYouDont]

YANBU I was only saying the same thing the other day.

[thebody]

Yes totally get u op and agree.

Change hero to role model ( some not all are good)and that's fine. Sports people like athletes and footballers, cricketers and rugby players etc work very hard at things they are naturally gifted at and enjoy. Most also get paid a shed load of money to do this and good for them.

Heroes are those who sacrifice their lives or, on a daily basis, put others before themselves.

I have my own heros.

Teachers and other adults who saved dds life's and lots of other children's as well at risk of their own. but they would say they were doing their job.

Those are heroes.

[LessMissAbs]

Well I don't know what media you are reading or tv programmes you are watching, but my local ones are full of ordinary people doing ordinary things, and I'd rather read and watch athletes. Succeeding in athletics takes a lot of courage as it often involves going beyond the pain barrier.

There are also plenty of athletes who go onto succeed in other spheres. The medical profession is heavily represented.

And generally socialisation through role models operates most effectively through imitation and deindivudation, doesn't it? Which is why advertisers tend to use David Beckham and other sporting heroes to sell stuff.

[squoosh]

YANBU.

Sports stars are far too over fetishised.

[HoveringKestrel]

I'm not saying Sports People should be recognised for their success....lovely, great, they did well. Fine.

But to call them a Hero?

Erm No.

[PickledLiver]

YANBU. Don't understand why they all get fucking royal recognition either, surely winning your competition is all the reward you need?

[BunnyLebowski]

YANBU. At all.

Glorified sports day does not equal heroism. It's barely even entertaining.

Jingoistic rubbish.

[HoveringKestrel]

YES. THANK YOU!

[OutragedFromLeeds]

YANBU

Running really fast, throwing a pointy stick far or running and jumping into a sandpit does not a hero make.

Might have made you a hero 30,000 years ago, but today it's not even a slightly useful skill.

[LetMeAtTheWine]

I second everything TheBody said...
YANBU.

[wigglesrock]

YANBU - It's their job to win a race, throw something very far, swim quickly. They have put in a lot of work to be good at it, that makes them dedicated not heroes.

I always think a hero is someone who goes above and beyond and who may put themselves at risk for the good of others - much as I admire someone who runs fast, it's not particularly heroic.

[wigglesrock]

or what thebody said

[ConfusedPixie]

Yanbu. What thebody said too.

[hopipolla]

Isn't the big difference that the Olympic athletes are the best in the world and so are exceptional amongst their peers, whilst the midwife at my local hospital is just one of many midwives around the developed world and is not exceptional relative to midwives from other countries.

[Isityouorme]

They aren't always the best though .... Look at Lance Armstrong. How many of them haven't been caught.

It annoys me that they are called heroes as wtf are soldiers fighting in Afghanistan, saving their peers from grenades and stuff. Regardless of whether the war is right or not, jumping into line of fire to save others make someone a real hero. Normal people doing splendid work will rarely or never be heroes sadly.

[Justforlaughs]

Being a good, even exceptional athlete does not make you a hero; tbh, I don't think being in the armed forces makes you a hero either. I don't even believe that dedicating your life to charity etc makes you a hero. As far as I can see, a Hero is someone who selflessly risks their own life to save someone else whether that is in a war situation, rescues a child from a burning building or pushes someone out of the way of a moving car etc. To use the word "hero" to describe someone who is simply good at their job, belittles the word.

[PickledLiver]

I don't think being in the armed forces makes you a hero either

I agree with that statement, too.

[vixsatis]

Heroes to brave things for other people.

Sports stars work hard for self fulfilment.

There is an enormous difference. YANBU

[squoosh]

The word hero is so diluted these days. I blame Carol Vorderman and those hero awards shows she's always hosting.

[badguider]

I don't think that olympians are "heroes". But they could be referred to as 'sporting heroes' which I think are quite different.

BUT, I am surprised you are "sick of hearing" them being referred to as such.. I don't think I hear it often at all.. maybe I've heard it very occassionally in reference to Chris Hoy, Steve Redgrave, Mo Farrar or Jess Ennis and I don't agree with the use of the word but it's an attempt to elevate these from the rest of the atheletes who did pretty well but not outstandingly.