We know winning does bring immense joy. But let's see how Olympians go the extra mile to shed more than just a tear after a win.
The London Olympics have been an emotional ride for both the athletes and their families — whether you are Michael Phelps or his mother.
The Wall Street Journal reviewed the tape of 129 gold-medal winners from the London Games to find out what happens most often.
About 16 percent of them cried at some point during the ceremony.
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Another 16 percent either bit or kissed their medal on the podium, while 44 percent sang along with their anthem—sometimes through a stream of tears.
Women cry more than men—25 percent compared to 8 percent—but many of the men who did cry seriously lost it.
South Africa’s Chad le Clos needed tissues after he beat Phelps in the 200-meter butterfly, while the Dominican Republic’s Felix Sanchez was a complete wreck after winning the 400-meter hurdles.
Chad Le Clos. Photo: AFP
North Korea’s Un Guk Kim jumped in celebration of his new world record in the men’s 62-kg weightlifting competition.
Felix Sanchez. Photo: AFP
Among the three countries with the most gold medals thus far, China cries the least, with only 7 percent of its athletes succumbing to tears.
More than 17 percent of American winners cried, while a whopping 37.5 percent of athletes from host country Great Britain cried.
Since they weren’t crying, the Chinese also sang the most: 92 percent of their athletes belted out the anthem, compared to 61 percent from Great Britain and 44 percent from the US.
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