Posted on 02/25/2006 11:12:09 AM PST by saquin
Feb. 23, 2006 - Four months ago, Bode Miller sat across from me in the bar of a New York City hotel and shared his idea of what a perfect two weeks in Torino would look like. “For me,” he said, “the ideal Olympics would be to go in with all that pressure, all that attention and have performances that are literally tear-jerking, that make people put their heads down because they’re embarrassed at how emotional they’re getting, that make people want to try sports, talk to their kids, call their f---ing ex-wives—and come away with no medals. I think that would be epic. That would be the perfect thing.”
In one respect, at least, Miller might get his wish. He’ll very likely come away from these Olympics with no medals. He has one event remaining, Saturday’s slalom, and fortunately for his dream of going home medal-free, it’s the alpine discipline that has vexed him the most of late. He has finished a slalom race only twice in seven World Cup tries this season. As for the rest of Bode’s Olympic dream, his performance here, both on and off the mountain, has often been tear-jerking and occasionally embarrassing, but not for the reasons Miller had hoped.
[...]
Nevertheless, he decided to come to Torino. And before he got on the plane, he told anyone who would listen that he was going to show us something about sports and sportsmanship. Instead, we saw a perfect embodiment of the tarnished Olympics that he claims to despise. Most people who have watched these Olympics will come away from them thinking much as they always have about sports, and thinking much less of Bode Miller. Which means that, by Bode’s own standard, he blew it.
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
I think the more appropriate betting pool would be the date that loser dies of an overdose, or commits suicide...
In a lot of ways, this guy is an alpine John Daly. Talented and self destructive.
Who is Bill Johnson?
What's sad is that someone else (potentially up to 5 people) who trained hard, disciplined himself, and would have worn the US Colors with pride did not make the US Olympic team because of this loud mouthed drunk.
I would have felt better if someone with slightly less talent, but more discipline competed in Bode's place... tried their hardest and came in last.
Maybe this guy should do a little research on this subject. In some alpine events -- like the downhill, for example -- a heavier competitor actually has an advantage over a smaller one because a heavier body mass moves faster down the slope than a lighter one. This is why some of the best downhillers in the last few Olympics (Patrik Ortlieb and Hermann Maier of Austria are good examples) looked more like NFL linebackers than skiers.
Gold-Medal Skier Bill Johnson Arrested
Sunday, February 13, 2005
PORTLAND, Ore. — Olympic ski champion Bill Johnson was charged with assaulting an officer and resisting arrest after punching a sheriff's deputy in the face during a traffic stop, police said.
Johnson was stopped in his pickup truck Friday by a Multnomah County sheriff's deputy and a suburban Troutdale police officer. When the officers approached, Johnson pulled out his 1984 gold medal and taunted them by saying, "You don't have one of these," police said.
Authorities said Johnson threw his keys at Deputy Jeff Cordes, reached out his window, grabbed the deputy's shirt and punched him in the face. Johnson then refused to obey orders to exit the vehicle and lie on the ground.
Johnson was charged with assaulting an officer, resisting arrest and driving while intoxicated. He remained jailed Saturday night, and was being held until arraignment Monday. Bail was set at $17,500.
When an officer tried to interview the 44-year-old Johnson in jail Friday, he lunged at the officer, grabbed him by the vest and tried to hit him, said Lt. Bruce McCain of the sheriff's office.
McCain said he did not know whether Johnson would be charged for that altercation.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,147467,00.html
Bill Johnson was a US Olympic downhill skier--back in the 80's, I think. He skied always on the edge, but did manage to come away with a gold medal. No where near as big of a mouth as Bode Miller, though.
That girl from Sweden was no starving waif. I liked her. I hope the US girl with the tiara doesn't turn into another Bode Miller. I liked her too.
WTF ???
I don't think I have read something more full of horse puckey in a long time. What kind of crap are they passing off as an Olympic standard.
It only refreshing if you enjoy a deep sniff of dog squat
This guy is a loser.
We as taxpayers are footing the bill for this lame asshat?
I had my hopes up that he would win nothing,much to the horror of some of my friends.
I despise arrogance !
And the book----for God's sake don't forget the book !
I had never heard of him until he appeared on 60 Minutes a few weeks ago. He said he didn't care if he won any medals -- he skied because it was fun. I was OK with that, but if he's going around Torino drunk when he should be making sure he's in good shape to compete, that's something else. Can't the coach keep him to a curfew at least? Kick him off the team for an alternate?
His sponsors deserved to be burned, Especially Nike
Insignificant turd.
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