Why Olympic silver medalists seem less happy than bronze winners

Despite their better performances, Olympic silver medalists seem less happy than their bronze-winning peers, according to a 2021 study by University of Iowa professors.

Why it matters: The findings highlight how expectations can dampen or elevate our self-perception.

State of play: The Iowa researchers gathered hundreds of photos of Olympians from 2000 to 2016 and used AI to document muscle movements and facial expressions like smiles.

What they found: Even though the second-place finishers performed better, the analysis found that bronze medalists often appeared happier on the podium.

The intrigue: The phenomenon occurs because of "counterfactual thinking" — a psychology term that refers to imagining different outcomes or "what could have been," Andrea Luangrath, a UI marketing professor and study coauthor, tells Axios.

• A silver medalist is more likely to compare themselves to the gold medalist and engage in "upward comparison."
• But the bronze medalist compares themselves to the athletes who didn't make the podium, a "downward comparison," Luangrath tells Axios.
• "They're just thinking, 'I'm glad I'm on the podium at all,'" she says.

The big picture: This isn't an experience exclusive to ultra-competitive athletes.

• Everyone engages in "second-place" thoughts when comparing themselves to others, Luangrath says.

The bottom line: The study is a lesson in being mindful of whom you compare yourself to — and having more reasonable expectations for yourself.

• "There will always be someone who is faster, smarter, stronger, wealthier," Luangrath says.
• "Just revel in the happiness of the moment — and maybe not so much the outcome."

Go deeper: Follow Axios' coverage of the Paris Olympics — which start on Saturday .

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