Hey Plushenko, real champions have class

There's an old saying that true champions don't just know how to win, they also know how to lose.

Last night in the men's figure skating free skate, Evan Lysacek skated a stronger, more well rounded program than defending Olympic champion Yevgeny Plushenko and won the gold. Plushenko had to settle for the silver.

Unfortunately, Plushenko couldn't accept this outcome with the class and sportsmanship that is expected of a competitor at his level. During the medal ceremony he shifted uncomfortably, barely waved to the crowd and rolled his eyes during "The Star Spangled Banner."

He continued his childish act by criticizing Lysacek in the post competition press conference saying, "you can't be a true men's champion without a quad." Lysacek, who is capable of a quad, chose not to do the risky jump and instead used his artistic abilities to up his score.

Someone needs to explain to Plushenko, that while the competition was close he lost fair and square. That means it's time to man up and act like the champion that you want us to think you are.

It has long been known that Plushenko is severely lacking in artistry and has always relied too heavily on his jumps. Since he took no steps to improve his talent while his competition steadily gained on him, he really has no one to blame but himself.

It is also worth noting that while Lysacek skated clean, landing all his jumps in near textbook fashion, Plushenko bobbled on his quad and was tilted in the air on many of his other jumps, lowering his grade of execution scores.

When the competition is as close as it was last night, you have to be perfect. Lysacek was and Plushenko wasn't, it's as simple as that.

Plushenko has always been cocky and obnoxious, but there is absolutely no call for the poor sportsmanship he displayed last night. He basically spit in the face of everything the Olympics stands for.