I’m pretty sure that their ID lets them into any venue.
I believe they have to request tickets, their ID doesn’t guarantee a seat. I don’t know if there’s any limit on ticket requests.
Too bad they don’t award a gold medal for running other people’s lives.
Aside from the widely reported fact that the Olympic dorms are crappy, spending time with his baby doesn’t strike me as “very selfish.” And I think it’s safe to say that Phelps already has all the Olympics moments he needs to savor. But YMMV.
I can think of a couple that probably wish that they had been just a little bit more “selfish”.
I know I’d want to get the freak out of Brazil ASAP, especially if I was forced to live in the half-finished tenements they’re calling the Olympic Village.
The only problem I see with this is, what about the closing ceremony? Do the athletes have the option of flying back to Rio? It seems to me that, even if they did, it would be a waste of time and money just to fly back to Rio for one night. The national committees probably don’t consider the closing ceremony that big of a deal, especially as the athletes enter as a single, massive group.
I can understand why the “stars” might want to give the closing ceremony a pass; they would be mobbed by other athletes. Just about the only ones that have to show up are the ones in the medal ceremonies that are part of the closing ceremony. Then again, NBC will probably cut the medal ceremonies out so it has enough time to air the promised “special preview” of The Voice at 10:30 Eastern that night.
Seriously? Wanting to spend time with one’s child is “selfish”? :dubious:
If Michael Phelps of all goddamn people can’t go home early to hang with his family, I would suggest that the expectations being placed on Olympic athletes are perhaps a little silly. It’s a sporting competition, not a tour of duty in Vietnam.
Man, is Ryan Lochte starting to look like a gigantic douche or what?
The four of them are. Despicable, if what the Brazilian authorities are saying is true.
Starting?
Many of these athletes are amateurs who had to pay their own way to the Olympics or fundraise from their communities and have jobs to get back to so they can keep a roof over their heads. Others are college students who probably haven’t been home in months and need to get ready for fall semester soon. Hanging around in Rio once their events are over is for the richer athletes with vacation time. Plus apparently the accommodations and food are subpar and you can’t go enjoy the city without worrying about getting mugged. Leaving when you can’t afford to stay isn’t selfish, it’s prudent.
<shrug> it’s a choice each athlete can make for themselves. Unless their organization forces them to leave (mentioned earlier in this thread)
My comments about being selfish was in regard to the athletes that compete last. Day 1 everyone’s there. Excited, making friends and maybe watching their friends events. If everybody buggers off home, then by the end those competitors don’t get that same experience. That is why I felt going home is selfish. You’re not thinking about the other athletes who were assigned to compete later.
I’m glad the Olympics have gone pretty smoothly. Brazil came through and met the promises (to IOC) they made back in 2008. Wasn’t perfect but Brazil faced considerable economic and political challenges.
I’m sorry, but holding Michael Phelps up as an example of a selfish athlete boggles the mind. He was team captain, carried the flag, swam in umpteen events, multiple Olympic Games, and went home to be with his baby is an example of someone who is selfish?? You do realize that many of the late playing athletes don’t come until later. They selfish too?
LOL Phelps is retired. He’s got the rest of his life to hang out at home with the family. He’ll do a few product endorsements occasionally, interviews, but otherwise he’s Living the Life of Riley.
I wish him well. He’s trained hard since he was a teenager. Had incredible success.
I guess my memories of state wide track meets gives me a different perspective. I made a lot of friends. I still keep in touch with a few of them decades later. I guess I’m a bit sentimental about sports and what the experiences meant to me.
Your high school track experience gives you special insight into the motivations and responsibilities of an Olympic athlete? Ok.
I’m sure the vast majority of these folks are well experienced in meets and tournaments and understand what it’s all about.
I’m just sentimental and crotchety in my old age. 
I know the world has changed. Amateur Sports are ruthless and cutthroat now. I love to see real sportsmanship. Like the two women track runners that helped each other after tripping. I linked that story earlier.
What’s the penalty from the Olympic Committee for crimes in the host country?
That things are more ruthless may be true, but a competitor heading home when done is not an example of that.
LOL Michael Phelps is the most decorated Olympian ever but someone still gripes because he went home early to spend time with his family.
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