The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat.
It’s what makes sports so exciting to watch.
For every moment of ecstasy, there are countless moments of heartbreak for athletes who gave it their all, but just came up short.
Chinese Canadian ice skater Patrick Chan is just one example.
The winner of three world championships was the favorite at the Olympics Men’s Figure Skating competition.
He entered the final round in second place trailing first place Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan.
Hanyu skated right before Chan in that final round and looked to be vulnerable.
Hanyu fell twice, but Chan didn’t do any better and settled for a silver medal.
Afterwards, Chan twice looked into the camera and apologized for his performance.
He would have been the first Canadian ever to win Gold in men’s figure skating. It was not meant to be.
Chan made even more mistakes than the 19-year-old Hanyu.
“I love you guys. I’m sorry,” Chan said to the camera.
But why did Chan feel he needed to apology.
Shaun White didn’t say sorry when he failed to win gold in the half pike snowboarding competition.
Bode Miller didn’t say sorry when he left the downhill competition without a medal from Sochi.
Neither did fellow American Ted Ligety.
American Jeremy Abbott took even one step further. The figure skater not only didn’t say sorry, he had harsh words for his critics.