The word authentic rang in my thought after hearing how Olympic figure skater and gold medal favorite Ilia Malinin handled the many questions from journalists after his disappointing free skate in Milan. His patience, calm, and intelligence—even gratitude to have been able “to put in this work and effort to get to where I am”—were described as beautiful by USA Today sports columnist Christine Brennan.

I couldn’t help thinking that although this young man may have lost on one level, he won big on another. A substantial and solidly real sense of life and character shone through that very difficult moment—something truly genuine. Who doesn’t long for an indissoluble, unforced authenticity that is able to withstand and outshine not only loss but temptations like deception, contrivance, and dishonesty?

A substantial and solidly real sense of life and character shone through that very difficult moment.