Anyone watch Shani Davis win last night (Olympic Speedskating)?

[Ava83]

THIS IS A SPOILER ONLY READ ON IF YOU WANT.















This is from MSNBC about todays race.

Hedrick smiled and half-heartedly waved his bouquet. Davis raised both arms, smiled and waved to the crowd.Fabris jumped onto the top spot —in the middle of the Americans — and waved in all directions. After the bouquets were presented, Davis and Hedrick joined Fabris on the top spot. Davis tousled the Italian’s hair and they talked to each other. Hedrick stared straight ahead. There was no traditional handshake between the medalists.

From NBC

While Fabris and Davis skated a victory lap together, an irritated Hedrick plopped down and took off his skates.

Take from it what you will.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

A lot of judgemental people around here . . . based on a 30 second interview . . .

I agree. I guess Bode Miller is not the only "bad boy" of the Olympics now.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I think the guys got a black complex. I get the feeling, just from looking at him, watching him, etc. that he feels he is being discriminated against because he is black, in that they are not treating him with the respect he deserves. Like the team should treat him differently, etc. Sounds to me like it is his own doing.

The team should bow down to him, the media should, etc. And, when they didn't, he pouted, and showed the world that he is such a great role model for the black inner city youth that a poster said he helps.

He is an *ss to the white lady, but then interviews with the black man, and actually answers the questions.

Unbelievable.

What in the world is a "black complex"??

I'm a black woman, I wonder if I have BC?

 

[frozone]

The comments above are not bringing out the race card. If I am wrong, I am wrong. But, if there is any truth to the thought that Davis wanted to do things his way, etc. and used his race to justify his decisions, to the detrrimenet of the team, then he is the one that has thrown up the race card.

He is then the bigot.

By this same reasoning, you're comments are equally bigoted. You read his reaction as coming not from an athlete but a black athlete.

It's really a shame to come here and see comments like these, but good to see that others are just as disappointed with them.

 

[CajunDixie]

I was going to post what Ava83 did but with the following added on

Typically, Hedrick’s strength is his closing lap when he powers across the ice. But the Texan, who holds the world record, knew he wasn’t going to win when he crossed the line, shaking his head. He skated a cooldown lap with his hands on his knees, staring down at the ice.

“I didn’t come here to finish third,” he said. “I’m not happy with what I did. This is not what I sacrificed my whole life to do.”

Weren't we told repeatedly how Hedrick was gambling 4 years ago and watched the speed skating and then decided to train for the Olympics? I guess it's ok to lie if you have a ahhhhhh Pinocchio Complex.

 

[LisaR]

I was going to post what Ava83 did but with the following added on



Weren't we told repeatedly how Hedrick was gambling 4 years ago and watched the speed skating and then decided to train for the Olympics? I guess it's ok to lie if you have a ahhhhhh Pinocchio Complex.

I don't think it was lying at all. Hendrick had trained for many years to be in the Olympics. However, his event was inline skating. They were trying to get that event into the summer Olympics. When he saw his friend win gold in SLC 4 years ago, he decided to CONTINUE training for the Olympics but switch to speed skating instead since his friend (and many other speed skaters) were former inline skaters.

 

[AMcaptured]

When they showed the media interview after the race last night, I thought it was in bad form and sportsmanship that Davis to call out Hedrick for not shaking his hand after the medals were presented. Davis should have just left it alone and let the incident speak for itself. Instead he was grandstanding and ended up making a jerk out of himself, IMO.

Hedrick, on the other hand, really showed restraint when he was standing up drinking some water. I swear I thought he was going to throw it at him and start a brawl. I had the feeling he was thinking about it but realized it would just verify everything Davis had just said about him so he didn't.

Personally, I think they are both acting immature. The world doesn't revolve around either ot them and they both need to grow up.

 

[Deb in IA]

Why in the world were those two doing a JOINT post-race interview?

We all know they can't stand each other, and for almost half an hour, they were, for the most part, polite and cordial (at least, that's what Bob Costas said). Then came the Shani outburst.

I say is it was a set-up by the media. They were just waiting for the fireworks, and they got them.

And where is the USA Speed Skating COACH in all this? The coach needs to sit BOTH of these guys down and tell them, in no uncertain terms, to cut this stuff out, and just skate!!!

That's my opinion, at least.

 

[chyam]

I thought he came off as very arrogant. It's a shame he couldn't act more curteous to the public, after all he did make history and people won't remember him for the right reason. JMO

I have to agree, and then he had another interview where when they were interviewing the "other"guy he just walked off after making some snide remarks, he certainly will not let it go and it is making a poor example of himself no matter how good he is on the ice. It sure will not be helpful if he decides to try and "market"himself.