Professor Jessica Tracy of the University of British Columbia specializes in emotion, nonverbal expression, self-conscious emotions (e.g., pride, shame), the self, self-esteem, narcissism, and trends in psychological science.
The Associate Editor at the journal Emotion uncovered an interesting trait when people succeed in athletics, whether or not they have been blind from birth.
So whether they had never seen anyone do the “pride” pose in an athletic competition, many athletes – even blind athletes – raise their hands in a V and slightly lift their chins who are feeling victorious.
How many open water swimmers have done this at the end of a race or walking upon shore at the finish of a swim?
Upper photo shows 2008 Olympian Mark Warkentin at end of the USA Swimming 25 km national championship race. Lower photo shows 4-time Olympian Petar Stoychev of Bulgarian at the end of his English Channel swim.
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.