Five-Ring Circus

The Agony and the Ecstasy: Olympic Faces of the Day

Today’s winners in Olympics agony and ecstasy have been selected from the first few days of competition. Winning or losing actual medals does not impact whether one can win in this contest of pure, unbridled emotion.

The Ecstasy

A great victory face inspires spontaneous joy that’s so contagious that people who don’t care about the Olympics begin to care. We want to party with these people. (Click on the links below to learn more about what why these athletes are so happy.)

Gold in Ecstasy: Italy’s Valentina Vezzali (Fencing)

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ALBERTO PIZZOLI/Getty Images.

Silver in Ecstasy: France’s Automne Pavia (Judo)

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JOHANNES EISELE/Getty Images.

Bronze in Ecstasy:  Poland’s Marcin Mozdzonek (Volleyball)

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Elsa/Getty Images.

The Agony

The most-wrenching agony faces cause extreme pain, even among those who don’t know the sport or the circumstances. We want to hug these people. (Click on the links to learn why these athletes are so sad.)

Gold in Agony: South Korea’s Shin A Lam (Fencing)

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ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/Getty Images.

Silver in Agony: Great Britain’s Daniel Williams (Judo)

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Julian Finney/Getty Images.

Bronze in Agony: Senegal’s Hortance Diedhiou (Judo)

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FRANCK FIFE/Getty Images.

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