The Most Agonizing Olympics Video Ever

In case you missed it, there was a painful ending to the 10,000 meters event in speed skating. The complete story is here (video here), but basically with eight laps to go, Sven Kramer of the Netherlands failed to make a lane change resulting in him being automatically disqualified. Even worse was the fact that he didn't realize the mistake until after he had finished the race. Even worse was the fact that he finished with the gold medal time, four seconds faster than the next racer. Even worse was the fact that it would have been his second gold medal of the Games. And even worse was the fact that it was actually his coach's fault, who incorrectly instructed him to change lanes.

My immediate reaction to the coach was, "Wow. What an idiot." And let's face it - it was a pretty stupid mistake. But you could see him afterward with his head in his hands feeling pretty terrible about what he had done, and you couldn't help but feel sorry for the guy.

And then I found this video which shows the camera that remained on the Dutch coach for the entire race. And after I saw this, I almost wanted to cry with him. It's just painful to watch. He realizes the mistake he made and you can see the dread and sickness that slowly overcomes him. It only gets worse as you see him put on his happy face and continue to coach and encourage his skater each time he passes, and then as soon as Kramer skates past, the coach just looks like he's going to throw up.

(It actually reminded me of a scene from Friday Night Lights after the team's star running back Boobie Miles suffers a serious knee injury. After the game in the locker room, the team is sitting around worried, waiting to hear about Boobie's status. The coach (Billy Bob Thornton) talks to the doctor who basically tells him that Boobie's knee is really messed up. Billy Bob is sick to his stomach, but eventually walks out with a smile and tells the team that Boobie's going to be all right and that they should celebrate their victory. As soon as he walks out of the locker room, though, the sick face is back.)

Anyway, as dumb a mistake as it was to make, this guy has my sympathy, especially after watching the video of him. Someone get this man a drink. And a hug.