The Armstrong quote was blown out proportion by jackasses looking to create controversy out of nothing. He was talking about some of extreme measures that Lance had to go to to protect himself against doping accusations and wasn't accusing Lance of doping. Bode has never been a media savvy individual since he grew up without watching TV and doesn't watch it much now. For last two years he had boycotted talking to the American Press, because he saw them as a bunch of clueless harpies. Unfortunately he signed the Big Nike contract and he wasn't allowed to play that game anymore. He's naively tried to be honest with the press, because that's largely his nature, and that tact has backfired on him.
With regards to him racing "Drunk" last year.(He was hungover) He had just one the Men's overall Title the night before the Race in question. I wonder how many members of the Pittsburgh Steelers were in shape to play football the day after winning the Superbowl? He took 6th place in that race, which is respectable no matter what shape your in.
I saw some NBC talking head yapping about him living in he RV this week as opposed to staying in the Olympic Village like it was somehow antisocial, blah, blah, blah. He's lived in that RV for the last 3 years on the World Cup circuit. It wasn't unusual or antisocial for him to do so. It's his home on the road and he's comfortable there. Since, it's close to the slope, he can rest between runs, study film etc. Why should he break from his normal routine just for the Olympics? It's always a bad idea to change your environment if you've been successful with it.
NBC would have you believe that the only ski race in the world it the Olympic Downhill. Actually, World Cup Ski Racers don't give a crap about the Olympics from a competition standpoint. It can be a big pay day for the guy that wins but they care a lot more about the World Cup, since it measures an athlete over the course of lengthy season. Bode won that title last year, which is why he's considered the best ski racer in the world. He didn't actually win a lot of ski races to get that title
In a Downhill there are about 15 different athletes that can win on any given Day. These athletes are talented enough to be in the right position to win, but on race day, luck can play a major part. Snow conditions, weather, ski preparation are also critical factors in what happens. In his career, Bode has only won 3 Downhills. He was by no means favored to win this one, and a fifth place was not a disappointment for him no matter what the media played it up to be.
Sorry for rambling, but in regards to Bode please take everything that the Media feeds you with a grain of salt, the same as you would if they were reporting on a Republican President. Bode seriously considered not doing the Olympics this year because he knew he would have to deal with the ignorance of the American Media. He hates the attention. All he ever wanted to do in life was ski fast. Please understand that and watch with a more critical eye in the future.
Hey, maybe he and Barbara Bush would make a good couple?
I respect your response, and I'll keep your points in mind. I admit that I do not know much about him, only from what I've seen on television.