Posted on 02/16/2006 12:27:45 PM PST by Zechariah_8_13
American skiing ace Bode Miller says he can understand while some athletes turn to drugs in their quest for fame.
Miller, who on Tuesday was disqualified from the Winter Olympics' alpine skiing combined event after a slalom slip-up, believes the pressure to succeed forces some competitors to cheat.
"Sport was born clean and would remain so if it was about just competing for the fun of it, but the media and the public corrupt it because of the pressure they create," the outspoken Miller told the Gazzetta dello Sport.
"Any athlete who isn't doing well is left in the corner, nobody asks for their autograph and they're left out in the cold. However, those who win things are regarded as symbols.
"Fame is like a poison. I don't care for it. I used to have a better life when I was nobody.
"This pressure is inhumane, born out of an athlete's need to be number one.
"Sport should be a pleasure, a challenge against one's self. Sport is an act of freedom. On the piste you can push your limits and that is the essence of life."
Miller, 28, flopped badly in Sunday's downhill and the combined was his chance to make amends.
But after topping the opening downhill leg of the event, the World Cup champion overcooked it on the first of the two slaloms. Despite reaching the finish line, he was later disqualified for his infraction.
Miller has three more opportunities to finally win a first Olympic gold to add to his downhill world championship crown, in the super-G, giant slalom and slalom.
What does "overcooked it" mean??
It seems to me that he markets himself relentlessly. Then complains about it.
Hmm... Someting about being an A-hole comes to mind here.
He can go back to skiing for the fun of it any time he likes.
Don't think I need to.
It's the public that corrupts sports and its the public that causes athletes to take drugs... Yea whatever
His mouth wrote checks his butt couldn't cover.
Boo-frickin-hoo.
Tic, Tic, Tic, very soon to be a nobody again.
Drop out of the Olympics, cancel all your endorsement deals, and just ski for fun.
the media and the public corrupt it because of the pressure they create
Imagine how tough it would be if anybody actually knew who he was.
Owl_Eagle(If what I just wrote makes you sad or angry,
Then stop marketing yourself at every opportunity. Fame comes with a price. Is there anyone left on planet earth who doesn't realize that? He was more than happy to cash the endorsement checks when given the opportunity. Fame was fun then, wasn't it.
Dear Bode: You are free to quit skiing and work at McDonald's anytime.
Says the man who was out 'til midnight drinking beer the night before his downhill run.(Where he blew his chance for a medal with poor form at the very end of the run.)
"Sport was born clean and would remain so if it was about just competing for the fun of it"
"Sport" is what you make it.
You still are.
Just shut up and ski.
In this instance it means that he straddled a pole instead of skiing around it.
Typical Lib...blaming everyone else. His 15 minutes are up...what a tool. Sadly, there is another skier who is here in the U.S. who should have been picked for the team over this moron. I hope his sponsorships disappear...Nike time to drop this dope.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.