Gold medals are awarded to the athlete, only. In fact, all three of the medals (gold, silver and bronze) are only awarded to the athletes. Coaches do not receive medals at the Olympics or most Elite level competitions (World Championships, X Games, etc). Athletic trainers, doctors, parents, training partners, spouses, next door neighbors ... none of these people receive medals if an athlete places in the top three. All of these individuals contribute to and support the athlete but they don't receive a medal. The reason for this is that the athlete is the one who ultimately executes the performance and earns the medal. The athlete is the one who trains all of those hours and pushes themselves beyond limits and makes sacrifices and get uncomfortable to execute their plan. Coaches are crucial in the success of an athlete. Most athletes would not reach their potential without a coach, or athletic trainers or supportive parents or teammates. However, the coach and others are an aid or assistance to the athlete. It is the athlete who is responsible for executing the plan. Often times, athletes expect the coach to "make them" into an athlete. However, the athlete must realize that they are the ones who are responsible for their ultimate success and they are responsible to utilize their resources. A coach can't run the race or take the jump or throw the implement. Coaches don't make shots or score touchdowns. You can lead a horse to water, and you can even take the horses head and shove it into the water and hold it there. However, this extreme action will not insure that the horse will drink the water, and you will either end up with a dead horse from downing or a hoof print in your face from a ticked off equine. As an athlete, when we are lead or taught or instructed, it is up to us to follow or learn or obey and then execute.
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