I am disappointed but more than disappointment, I feel embarrassed.

Let’s start with the obvious target, the rebel skier. Bode can blow. How can you not hate this guy right now? His attitude and actions go against the Olympic spirit. There isn’t any place for this whole antihero thing he’s attempted to spin at the Olympic Games. He has single handedly tarnished the image and spirit of the Olympics.

If I want despondent, “Who cares?” attitude I can watch MTV. I got enough of this “whatever” crap when I was in high school. I tune into the Olympics because it is supposed to be a refreshing change, an up lifting and inspiring experience. When and how did it become cool to strive for below mediocrity? I hate the substandard attitude that this jerk seems to be consumed with. If it’s what you want you can join Bode at the video arcade where he will be hanging out for the rest of his life.

Here are Bode quotes:

- “I just did it my way. I’m not a martyr, and I’m not a do-gooder. I just want to go out and rock. And man, I rocked here.”

- “The expectations were other people’s. I’m comfortable with what I’ve accomplished, including at the Olympics. I came in here to race as hard as I could. That was my obligation to myself.”

- “I’ve been living my life as if I might have died two weeks before the Olympics started. That left me the opportunity to dig deep, to go down that other route, to make more sacrifices and get back to where I was.”

- “My quality of life is the priority. I wanted to have fun here, to enjoy the Olympic experience, not be holed up in a closet and not ever leave your room.”

- “Me, it’s been an awesome two weeks. I got to party and socialize at an Olympic level.”

– U.S. skier Bode Miller , after going an awesome 0 for 5 in Alpine events

The fact that Bode did not win a medal is besides the point. It’s not the winning that makes a champion, it’s the trying. Others remind us of this during the Games. Unfortunately, NBC and the Olympic sponsors aren’t giving any attention to them.

I recall the running race (I don’t remember from which Olympics or what runner) where one of the competitors pulled their hamstring and fell to the ground. I don’t know if his cries of pain were from the injury or from seeing his lifelong dream step away from him with the rest of the runners. It was probably a combination of both. I remember his tears and his expression so well. The runner’s father broke through the security line and helped his son up and together they finished the race. I tear up every time I think about it.

That is the Olympic spirit.

For the record, it’s okay to be good and better to be great. It is cool to care.

“Who cares?”

I care. Two weeks ago I was chanting “USA!” and “Go Team!” now I feel like hissing. I, like most people, am disgusted with the behavior of many of our professional sport’s “role models” today. I often proudly tell people that that type of behavior is a rarity in the Olympic arena. I am quiet now.

Could Sasha Cohen look more disappointed with a SILVER MEDAL AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES! With the exception of Apolo a lot can be (and has been) said of the American speed skaters. Ice Hockey anyone? Snowboarding’s greatest hot dog bloopers. As the Games end and I reflect, I am really trying to focus on the positive memories but there aren’t many and they are overshadowed by less than shining stars. It really isn’t fair to the athletes that went and represented us well, giving their best. With very few exceptions the US Olympic team was a disappointment and an embarrassment.

Being a member of the United States Olympic team is a great responsibility. Who else besides politicians and military represent the United States on the world stage?

Nike, I won’t be joining your Bode. I am boycotting your products for one year. I encourage others to do the same.

The high point for me was hearing the news of Joey Cheek donating his prize money, somewhere around $40,000 to the charity Right To Play. His actions inspired corporations to pledge several hundred thousand dollars to give impoverished kids in war torn Africa a place to play. He inspired other athletes. Canadian speed skating gold medalist, Clara Hughes, pledged $10,000 to the cause.

For Olympic athletes these figures are a fortune. If you broke down all the hours that it took them to earn that medal and the money that accompanies it you are probably looking at a few cents an hour, if that.

The actions of Joey remind us that sports are not about the big contracts and signing bonuses, or PR. It’s about inspiring others and using the platform to make a difference. These are Olympic ideals exercised by few but appreciated by many.

This Week’s Hero: Caitlin Drozin

I turn to a Cleveland high school swimmer, with a 4.3 grade point average, to provide the inspiration that the winter Olympic Games could not. Please read the story. I think that you too will be inspired. Caitlin can teach us all something. A champion is determined not by their victories but by how they deal with obstacles. Caitlin can explain to Bode that you don’t need to win at the Olympic Games to inspire others.

Visit Camp Race Club:

We will make any swimmer at any level faster. If you are an elite level swimmer (from anywhere in the world) who wants to come and train with us for an extended period of time please send us your resume and tell us what you want to accomplish. We will help you achieve it. We are currently putting together a group of elite level swimmers for the summer season. If you are passionate about swimming and want to improve we can help you. Join us!

The Grouper:

Friend Zasha Robles and I took to the high seas to land dinner for this week’s campers. My father cooked up the fish with strawberries, and I was shocked that it was so good. I wasn’t aware that my father could cook. Sister Bebe brought in the lobster and Zasha speared his first fish, the delicious hog snapper. I took in the grouper, fish that Race Club member, Sabir Muhammad, only wishes he could catch.

Signed,
Gary Hall Jr.