Comments on: A Tough Morning for the American Men’s Sprint Team

By: the new cloxxi

the new cloxxi — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 18:31:14 +0000

Oh …. not affiliated with the ‘old cloxxi’ ….

By: the new cloxxi

the new cloxxi — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 17:59:02 +0000

Well put Big Joe… when an athletes promote themselves for all the benefits of advancement, corporate sponsorship, etc, they open themselves up to criticism. If they want to be the best then they are in the limelight with all to see and criticize… its not all roses. Unlike what JustinF and JKlister would like you to think, just because we may not be certified “Elites”, we still have thoughts and opinions about ‘our’ sport. Theirs is a form of fascism.

By: Big Joe

Big Joe — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 17:27:17 +0000

Ok. I can resist no longer. Why are those that simply point out the disappointing performances regarded as “haters?” Surely, the athletes know their results have been less spectacular than the propagandists promised. If they are not aware of this — perhaps we have identified a problem. Further many of the athletes have used the media and the web to promote themselves. With such promotion one must expect increased scrutiny as well.

I think it is interesting that many of the posters use criticism and hyperbole to try to silence those with whom they disagree.
A very odd use of the internet indeed. Using criticism to silence critics. Interesting.

But at the end of the day — its just skiing for christsakes. (no offense to the evangelists among us.)

By: Lars

Lars — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 11:48:25 +0000

I don`t think the US xc skiers have been that bad. Randall had what i think is one of her best results in a classic sprint ever. Newell and Freeman were both unlucky Freeman with his skis and Newell with conditions that caused him to fall and there for not make the sprint top 30.
That is unfortunate but no reason to go ape shit and no matter how disappointed a fan is the athletes them-selfs will feel worse they have invested 10-15 years of training for this.

By: Mike Trecker

Mike Trecker — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 13:58:25 +0000

Fear and loathing in Las Vancouver. Perhaps this is weird enough? The U.S. can win the hate competition for sure.

By: wantabe

wantabe — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 03:08:50 +0000

fatassskifan,

for a fasterskier fan you should read it more..and better.
Jimmy the Geek, as I pointed out, seems to have some kind of weird grudge against the athletes.

Did’jah notice what he had to say about them.; That is why I deconstructed his argument quote-by-quote (this is something I learned on my own, BTW, having been kicked out of Grad school for drinking too much micro-brew. Since then I HAVE switched to meth,but I appreciate the advice anyway!)

I guess the stodgy old “elite” of this sport are against a good old debate…oh wait, could that be part of the problem?

As far as the gray sweater goes, now you are getting personal.;)

By: bill mckibben

bill mckibben — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 02:33:40 +0000

Just a note to say that I’m very very sorry I started this comment thread, and won’t do so again. You guys are really really out of it, as in, it’s highly embarrassing to be in the same section of cyberspace. I’m just going back to watching Simi and the rest of them do something great–and the rest of them include the athletes from all the other countries.

By: wantabe

wantabe — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:22:05 +0000

Hi Jimmy!

I am glad to hear that you are researching anti-psychotic drugs.
Could do you some good…

As for Andy Newell and his blogging; I saw last night that Shani Davis, the US Gold medal winner in the 1000, and the only skater ever to do that twice in a row. He talked about his journalism and how much it helped him to understand both himself and his sport. So resting and training are the only 2 things an athlete should do? No journal?
“Crashing is an extension of his psyche.” Okay Freud, it’s great to know you have finally over come the centuries age quest for a resolution to the mind/body conflict as described by Descartes.
“Randall, she could win if she did not eat Subway. That stuff is pure GMO and factory farm poison. Stop eating Subway, start winning races.” The only poison I see here is your vitriolic condescending lecture, which seems to be fueled by a sophomoric “pseudo-intellect that gives credence to the old saying “a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.”
As for Kris….oouugh, sloppy research. Lilly was sued (successfully,yes,I admit) for 1 product, Zyprexa. You see, Jimmy, a little research and some good googling can mean the difference between a well-written piece of vitriol and whatever your vitriol is.(I knew that off the TOP of my head-no research needed!) but hey, you’re the doctor, right? No, wait, don’t tell me; he eats at Subway. Or, is it that he doesn’t exercise enough?
“The olympics are one excellent party”…and don’t you wish you were there!!!

“You all have zero chance at a medal, so live it up”. Did you see this in a vision? See, this is why I’ve always been leery of self-proclaimed prophets 8>).

“I can provide a candid reason why the US ski team will never be any good. Can you wantabe?” Can you? So far I have heard a lot of smoke but no fire; it does indeed appear that you are at the margins-and I am not the one who put you there!

By: welikeben

welikeben — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:39:05 +0000

I should probably proof read my comments before I make them… as I’m sure I will get reamed for the lack of grammar and spelling. Nonetheless, I standby the claims I made. Expectations went too high too soon after a handful of top results over the past 8 years.

By: welikeben

welikeben — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:27:23 +0000

I have to admit as harsh as The Greek is, I kind of agree with him…. but we should stay on topic. Sure the food in this country is detrimental along the pharmaceutical companies. Point is, there are plenty of American Olympic athletes who rise above it all in other sports and still manage to medal despite all the above stated culture issues in this country. Spillane? Shauni Davis… and on and on. Maybe our expectations after a few top 10′s, a couple top 5′s, and a couple of medals at worlds skyrocketed too much too quickly. Maybe it’s time to once again go back to basics. Have zero expectations other than the best possible effort and then hopefully one day be pleasantly surprised. Freeman’s 4th place back 2003 was so great because no one was expecting it…. the pressure wasn’t there….

I’m not gonna hold my breath for Olympic medals until there are consist medal performances at worlds and world championships….. Overall world cup winner, etc…. then I’ll have some serious expectations. No doubt Nordic skiing in this country has improved a lot over the past 20 years…. still have a long way to go… to get consistent top results.

I don’t blame the athletes. I blame the fair weather fans and U.S. Ski Team for setting us all up for a let down…. too much hype over very sparse top finishes the past 8 years.