Which is happier to win a silver medal or a bronze medal? Most people will conclude that a silver medalist is happier than a bronze medalist because he gets a higher reputation. But this is not the case. Although bronze medalists are only in third place, they are much happier than silver medalists. Olympians explain how they feel about winning a medal: the third place trembles with excitement when they win a medal; on the other hand, the second place feels like a loser because they fail to win the first place. It doesn't matter what you get, but how you feel it.
The important thing is how to feel is intended to describe this passage.