When it comes to participating as an athlete in the Olympics, “party” and “have fun” on your own time.
If you’re talented enough to be an Olympic-caliber athlete and make the trials, count your blessings. You’ve been given a gift.
If you make the Olympic team, count your BIGGER blessings. You’ve been given a BIGGER gift.
If you’re a medal contender or medal winner, count your BIGGEST blessing in the world of athletic competition. You’ve been given the BIGGEST gift of all.
And when you’re on Team U.S.A., your position is about representing your country FIRST and foremost. YOUR personal glory is SECOND. Your personal entertainment factor isn’t even on the radar.
As an American Olympian, when you have a chance to medal in your sport and you choose instead to party like it’s 1999 OR perform a showboating move BEFORE you cross the finish line, you make me sick.
I’m talking to you, Bode Miller and Lindsey Jacobellis.
In 2006, Mr. Miller was the most hyped athlete of the Turin Olympic Games. The cover of Time Magazine in January 2006 labeled him:
“American Rebel” and “skiing’s bad boy.”
The cover text read:
“He speaks his mind—and apologizes later. He loves to party—and doesn’t care about winning. Yet Bode Miller is poised to strike Olympic gold.”
As the reigning World Cup champion, Mr. Miller was the closest thing to a sure best for gold as they come. He entered five races. His results: 5th, 6th, DNF, DNF, DNF.
Was Mr. Miller’s performance a disappointment to him? No, he said he had a good time and “got to party in the Olympic village.” No mention of letting down his country.
Likewise in 2006 Olympics, Ms. Jacobellis was leading the Snowboard Cross race. Instead of securing her victory, she chose to show off and pull a stunt near the finish line. She fell. She came in second instead. A Silver Medal is a tremendous accomplishment, but not when you received it by squandering the gold through immature behavior.
Mr. Miller: You have been called a “rebel” and a person who does his own thing/marches to the beat of a different drum. This admonishment comes from someone who not only gets that, but also IS that. So pay attention, buster. When you are fortunate enough be a part of the Olympic Team, it is an HONOR. Act accordingly. I don’t care that you don’t care about winning for yourself, but CARE about winning for America.
So far I have not heard any interviews with you during the current Olympics discussing your poor performance in 2006. I do not know if you have learned your lesson. If not, all I can say is, Hey, dude, can’t you party AFTER the games are over?
(BTW, you DID win a silver medal yesterday. Way to go! Maybe you did decide to care.)
On the other hand, I cannot say that for you, Ms. Jacobellis: I do know if you have learned your lesson from the last Olympics. Sadly, you have NOT. Earlier this week you told an NBC reporter when she asked you if you had any regrets about that infamous race, you said, “No, I had fun.”
You get the same speech, missy. You are NOT on the American team for your own self-aggrandizement or pleasurable pursuits. You need to grow up and fess up. Said stunt was indeed a regrettable error.
You will forever NOT be known as Lindsey, the gold medal winner. No one will remember your name. They will only remember the stupid girl who blew the gold medal. How fun is that?
To all the other USA athletes in the Vancouver Games: Good luck (and congrats to the winners so far). You make America proud.
GO TEAM USA!
Bode medals in Vancouver!
Silver medalist. Shoulda been gold. "What, me care?"
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