Bode Miller.....thoughts? (olympic skier)some spoilers, read at own risk...

[Maleficent13]

I'll let the guy be, when he stops being a drunken role model for kids!

Like Miss Jasmine said...who elected him a role model? He's just a guy who happens to be good at skiing. Just because you're good at something doesn't mean you are automatically a role model.

 

[Amlee]

When you make the choice to be in the lime light like that you are automaticly put up as a role model for future skiers. You are put on ever box of cereal. Put on all types of tv show. Sponsers use your image to get others to buy their products. "By this and be like Bobe!"


Yes he is a role model whether he likes it or not. His actions are posted all over paper and screen. Kids see that and think "Hey if he can do it then so can I". If he can go out and party before his big event and people are ok with it. Then why can't I?

 

[Maleficent13]

When you make the choice to be in the lime light like that you are automaticly put up as a role model for future skiers. You are put on ever box of cereal. Put on all types of tv show. Sponsers use your image to get others to buy their products. "By this and be like Bobe!"


Yes he is a role model whether he likes it or not. His actions are posted all over paper and screen. Kids see that and think "Hey if he can do it then so can I". If he can go out and party before his big event and people are ok with it. Then why can't I?

Answer: you CAN! Go out and party before your next big *whatever*, just like Bode! And then have to deal with the result, just like Bode!

So if I'm good at skiing, good enough for the Olympics, my choices are to either: A) change my lifestyle to fit the image of middle America's definition of a "role model" or B) don't go to the Olympics?

 

[cardaway]

Do you folks think he was out alone, no other participants out that night as well?

Most of those folks are out partying in their off hours. It's part of the reward of making it to the Olympics.

As usual somebody is making an example out of somebody when the reality is that he/she is really no different than the average person in that position.

 

[Ziva]

Go Bode!!

 

[Amlee]

Answer: you CAN! Go out and party before your next big *whatever*, just like Bode! And then have to deal with the result, just like Bode!

So if I'm good at skiing, good enough for the Olympics, my choices are to either: A) change my lifestyle to fit the image of middle America's definition of a "role model" or B) don't go to the Olympics?

Sure they can go out, but for parents that try to teach their kids NOT to do this. It's not helping to see a professional do it and people pass it off as oh well that is just how he is.


No you can go on to the Olympics, but expect to have comments made about your lack of judgement.

 

[vivilasvegas]

Do you folks thing he was out alone, no other participants out that night as well?

Most of those folks are out partying all the time. It's part of the reward of making it to the Olympics.

As usual somebody is making an example out of somebody when the reality is that he/she is really no different than the average person in that position.

snarf!!! Let's remember this when people are flipping out about some little movie starlet doing something stupid.....hmmm, but we don't do that, do we?

I could care less what kind of role model he is....it's just with all his big mouth/trash talk and the guy blows it.!

And no, I bet some athletes with events the next day weren't out partying....they have two weeks for that, I would bet they are getting ready to win their event the next day.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Sure they can go out, but for parents that try to teach their kids NOT to do this. It's not helping to see a professional do it and people pass it off as oh well that is just how he is.


No you can go on to the Olympics, but expect to have comments made about your lack of judgement.

Why isn't it helping? There's nothing that says that parents can't point to a public individual and say to their kids -- "that's not how you should be behaving".

I'm sure the comments aren't bothering Bode -- he seems to be doing fine, criticism or no criticism.

 

[Ziva]

Let's try it in blue now.......

Go Bode!!

 

[cardaway]

Sure they can go out, but for parents that try to teach their kids NOT to do this. It's not helping to see a professional do it and people pass it off as oh well that is just how he is.

It's the parents problem if their kid follows the life of a sports figure beyond their performance in the sport, not the sports figure.

 

[ead79]

I think it is extremely disrespectful to his teammates, his country, and even himself to go out drinking the night before an Olympic competition. IMHO, it’s high time he grows up and acts his age.

That being said, I do have to give him some credit for not blaming anybody when he got 5th place in the event. He could’ve tried to blame it on the skis (as the reporters were sort of prompting him to do IMO). But he did take the consequences of his actions. To me it’s just a shame that he lacks the maturity/self discipline to prepare properly for an Olympic event.

I agree with whoever said that the most hyped competitors are often the ones that fall short.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Let's try it in blue now.......

Go Bodie!!

Pssssstt -- it's Bode, not Bodie

 

[Maleficent13]

Why isn't it helping? There's nothing that says that parents can't point to a public individual and say to their kids -- "that's not how you should be behaving".

I'm sure the comments aren't bothering Bode -- he seems to be doing fine, criticism or no criticism.

Bob beat me too it, but it's my response too.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

It's the parents problem if their kid follows the life of a sports figure beyond their performance in the sport, not the sports figure.

Exactly!

I can also guarantee he was not the only athlete out partying that night. The reason it was mentioned is because of what he said during his 60 Minutes interview.

 

[Nancy]

You people do realize Miller skies in 5 events? His teammate, Rahlves, who finished below him was actually favored over him in this event.

It's one race...not life and death. The guy went out and had a few drinks, (no one has said he was drunk), I've gone out and had a few drinks and gone into work the next day. He used skis that he used once, his team mate had them on, decided at the last minute not to use them and changed skis at the top of the hill...he finished horrible and I thought he was the favored one?

Anyone that would hold up an Olympic or professional athlete or a movie/singing star as a role model needs to rethink their priorities. The only role models for my kids are me and my DH.

 

[vivilasvegas]

It's the parents problem if their kid follows the life of a sports figure beyond their performance in the sport, not the sports figure.

Sure, but he's still and idiot who should have taken this more seriously than he did, unless he didn't care, but then why was he there?

This was my whole point, I'm not worried about role models.

 

[Ziva]

Pssssstt -- it's Bode, not Bodie

I'm such a dumb ***, thanks! Must be all the I did last night.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Sure, but he's still and idiot who should have taken this more seriously than he did, unless he didn't care, but then why was he there?

The guy took 5th place, not 50th. You'd think after reading this thread that he belly flopped down the hill.

 

[cardaway]

snarf!!! Let's remember this when people are flipping out about some little movie starlet doing something stupid.....hmmm, but we don't do that, do we?

And no, I bet some athletes with events the next day weren't out partying....they have two weeks for that, I would bet they are getting ready to win their event the next day.

There is two clear schools of thought there. One group does nothing but isolate themsevles and obsess over the next day and the other lets everything go and enjoy the moment. Pretty much the case for the people at the top of every sport if you read the books and articles about it.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Sure, but he's still and idiot who should have taken this more seriously than he did, unless he didn't care, but then why was he there?

This was my whole point, I'm not worried about role models.

How do you even know his being out affected his run? There are a hundred other factors that could have played the defining role in his coming in 5th place (which isn't THAT horrible, it's not like he had a DNF).