This following is a statement from Brandon Slay, Silver Medallist, USA Freestyle Wrestling Team concerning his post-Gold Medal match actions, his behavior at the medal ceremony and his post-match press conference at the wrestling venue in Sydney, Australia during the XXVII Olympiad.    "I have just returned from Sydney, Australia where I participated in Olympic Freestyle Wrestling, including competition against Alexander Leipold of Germany in the Gold Medal match. First, I want to apologize to Alexander Leipold, his coaches and fans, the match referee, the mat judge and the mat chairman for not acting in a gracious manner immediately after the match.    While I was disappointed with the match outcome and with several of the official*s calls, there is no excuse for not shaking hands and following proper post-match etiquette. In addition, my comments at the post-match press conference were an initial gut reaction, made in the heat of battle.    I did not show proper respect for the winner of the Gold Medal nor for the officials. For this, I again apologize. I am so proud to have won the Silver Medal for my country and wonderful supporters and consider it an honor to have wrestled a champion like Alexander Leipold, regardless of the outcome."    The unexpected is always around the corner, waiting to pounce.  When?  Who knows?  Why? Who can tell?  But the wise athlete accepts it, takes pleasure  in it, and learns from it. Losing comes not from losing, but from missing  out on the learning, growth, and challenge. From *The Tao of Sports,* by Bob Mitchell