This week was supposed to bring gold for Brendan Hansen in the 100 breaststroke. That was his goal, one that didn't come to fruition after a fourth-place finish in the event. Then again, the Olympics are not always about victory.

After his race, Hansen stood in front of a horde of media and didn't make a single excuse. He credited the winner, Japan's Kosuke Kitajima, for producing a superb race at a critical time. Hansen just said he wasn't firing on all cylinders, and that's the way it goes from time to time. He also promised there would be more to come in the future, that he planned to regain the world records that Kitajima has taken during the past month.

Hansen will go down as one of the best athletes in Delaware County history, maybe the best. His portfolio is stacked with that many accolades. But the thing he doesn't get credit for enough, that might be his defining characteristic is the way he carries himself: Honest, appreciative of his teammates, coaches and family, charitable. Those traits are gold worthy.