That's right for many kinds of sports, but for cyclists I'm sure everyone would rather win the Tour de France than Olympic Gold, even if there is a Tour every year. If you win Olympic Gold, that's just one medal among so many which are given in those weeks. Also, because it's just one day, a win will always be a bit more random than a Tour win. If, however, you think you will win the Tour one day anyway (like Evenepoel, probably) or that you will never win the Tour because you are no way a GT GC rider, Olympic Gold should be very high on your list of goals.
Ullrich is better remembered for being the (losing) prime opponent to Armstrong than his Olympic gold.
A
cyclist or a
cyclist fan will probably value a GT more, than an Olympic gold. Not what I was saying though. I think yall missed the point of what I was saying.
I was just saying winning an Olympic gold is huge in many countries. No matter what sport it is. It is a lot of exposure when you win something like that, with people who probably never watches that sport. A whole nation celebrating or talking about it. The impact and the achievement open many more doors in the future for the person. You can ride on that wave long after your career. In many countries they would say that first, when describing someones achievements.
Cycling is an old sport with many prestigious races to win. For people following the sport closely, the Olympics might feel a bit underwhelming. I feel like a lot of people (most) dont hold that win as high as a big classics win or GT. Im on your side of that. There are other sports where you would probably value other things higher, so I know what you are saying. Like the WC in football for example. Instead of the Olympic gold in football.
I think you have to look at it from a different perspective though, and more to what it means in the grand scheme of things to be viewed as an Olympian champion. Hence, it is not a bad thing to target or really try to win it. For the glory. As one probably only get 1-2 chances, if that, during their career. Unless you are fortunate and gets more chances at it.
Edit: And Im also sure it is different how much an Olympic Gold means to everyone in many countries.