I am not sure why my post is a rationalization and yours is fact. However, you do have a point. The argument could be made that Shani Davis could have skated both the team event and his individual event.
But, it does appear that Shani was asked to participate late in his training cycle. This was after he had tried to qualify both for the short and long track teams, something that no one else was doing. Apparently he would be the first US Skater to qualify for both teams (see below) so I would suspect that training for BOTH teams had to impact his endurance, health, etc.
http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051016/SPORTS/510160553/1002/SPORTS
Heiden seems to echo this concern in the article I quoted in my previous post. BTW, can you point me to Heiden's initial critcisms of Davis?
It still looks to me as though the media has made a rush to judgement here, and I would probably agree with them and you if everyone on the U.S. spoke badly about Shani Davis.
But that fact that Joey Cheeks speaks well of him (and can be seen clapping for him on the podium during the medal presentation) along with Davis's long-time friendship Apolo Anton Ohno seems to support a press rush to judgement more than facts in evidence.
Also, Shani's Gold Medal is a Gold Medal for America. That's how it counts nationally and internationally.
Not to mention that further investigation of his mother, his statements, and the way the other Americans feel about him. So I add that to the 1,000 word picture ... Two plus Two Equals Four.