-
Letting Down the Tea Party
December 30, 2011 | 143 comments
-
Time Stops at Nothing
December 15, 2011 | 109 comments
-
Mitt Misfires
December 6, 2011 | 166 comments
-
The Two Months War
November 17, 2011 | 159 comments
-
Obama Goes Soft
September 30, 2011 | 88 comments
Sports Arena
Bode Miller's Life Lesson
America's greatest skier grows up.
On Sunday, American Bode Miller won his first Olympic gold medal -- 12 years after his Olympic debut and four years after his washout in Turin. Finally, Miller's Olympic performance matched his potential. How that happened is a lesson for young people everywhere.
Bode Miller, 32, of Franconia, N.H., is the most accomplished American alpine skier in history. He has 32 World Cup victories, two overall World Cup championships, four World Championship gold medals and one silver, and five Olympic medals. Yet if Americans know Miller at all, it is probably for blowing the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, where he entered as the favorite but left with no medals, only numerous reports of his late-night, alcohol-fueled escapades.
Though not a household name in the rest of the country, he is in New Hampshire. Here, he is known as a free spirit, to put a friendly spin on it. Critics say he's an immature party boy who never grew up. Miller's parents are reputed to have been '60s free spirits themselves. He has a sister named Genesis Wren Bungo Windrushing Turtleheart and a brother named Nathaniel Kinsman Ever Chelone Skan. People who know the family say Miller grew up wandering the woods unsupervised, as his parents didn't believe in structure or discipline.
That's surely something of a stretch, as he was taking skiing lessons as a young child, but it is axiomatic around New Hampshire that discipline was not something Bode Miller knew well growing up -- or as a young man. Which explains much of Miller's troubled history.
When he first arrived at the Carrabassett Valley Academy, a ski school in Sugarloaf, Maine, his youth coach predicted Miller would become an Olympic gold medalist. In 1996, at age 19, Miller became a star on the World Cup circuit. But in Salt Lake City in 2002, he came away with only silvers, and in Turin in 2006, he failed to finish three races and didn't place higher than sixth in those he did finish. The next year he left the U.S. Ski Team and raced as an independent.
Then, last October, calmer and yearning for Olympic gold, he returned to the team. Some who know him say becoming a father made him more responsible. His little girl is two years old this month. Some think he's just aged and realized that this was his last chance to medal in the Olympic games.
As great as it is, Miller's career is spotted with disappointments that stemmed not from the quality of his competition but from his own inner conflicts. Whether it was partying, drinking, or an overall lack of focus, Miller lost numerous big races he could have won. The outcome of no athletic event is guaranteed, of course. Miller might never have medaled in Turin even had he been at his best there. The point is, we will never know because all too often Miller didn't show up to compete.
But in these Olympic games, he has. And the reason seems to be that he has finally gotten his head into the game as well as his body. His former youth coach at Sugarloaf, John Ritzo, told the Boston Globe that Miller finally has grown up. A friend of Miller's family told the New Hampshire Union Leader that Miller's mother says her son finally has his head in the right place this year. His teammates have described him as "hungry" and "motivated" this time.
All of this means, simply, that hard work and discipline matter, even in the world of athletics, where raw physical ability would seem to be paramount. Miller worked hard to become the world champion skier he has been for years. But at times, when he lost focus, he failed. He finally won Olympic gold this year, and thus lived up to his tremendous potential, by clearing his head of distractions and working hard on achieving his goal.
In other words, he decided he wanted to win. That's the theme of a lot of sports movies, of course. But it's a cliché because it's true. And what's kind of exciting about Miller's focus this year is that if Bode Miller, described by other skiers as "crazy," can concentrate his mind enough to turn the debacle of Turin into the glory of Vancouver, then there is hope for just about everyone, whatever their endeavors.
In an interview after his gold medal win on Sunday, Miller said that before the race he had one leg injured and the other leg already in his boat. Quintessential Bode Miller. But he said he cleared his head, focused on the race, and made a great run. Coaches might do well to show that interview to their kids at the start of the season -- right after they show interviews with Miller from, and clips of his races in, Turin.
The contrast will prove a point every kid, athlete or not, needs to learn: You might be the fastest, the strongest, the smartest, or the most eloquent kid around. But that doesn't mean anything if you goof off while your competition works harder.
About the Author
Andrew Cline is editorial page editor of the New Hampshire Union Leader. His Twitter ID is Drewhampshire.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (41) | Leave a comment
Leave a Comment
More Articles by Andrew Cline
More Articles From Sports Arena
http://spectator.org/archives/2010/02/23/bode-millers-life-lesson
Follow us:
ADVERTISEMENT
Current Issue
- Facing Up to Darwin
- The Continuing Crisis
- Who's Really Conservative?
- Digital Subscription (Save 78%)
- Buy a single issue (Save 50%)
- Send Spectator as a gift
ADVERTISEMENT
Richard Baker| 2.23.10 @ 7:46AM
Ah, the '60s counterculture. Yes, he won a Gold Medal and congratulations. Wonder how many thousands or maybe millions of kids raised in the same way are debris from the Peace and Love generation. At the end of this story, hard work and effort and not counterculture foolishness made his victory possible. Will he learn from this? Probably not. The best thing for our kids will be when we of the Baby Boom Generation pass into history. Hopefully, our Republic will survive til then.
Bo | 3.1.10 @ 5:47PM
Jeez, Mr. Baker, you seem to be making olympian leaps yourself equating "hard work" as the monopoly of neo-con America. So pray tell, then, how it is those "commies" with health care in Norway, Canada, Finland and such just kicked your butts in Vancouver. Canada in total golds, with a mere 10% of the American population, and Finland and Norway Waaaaay ahead of the "hard working" USA in the per capita medals rankings. I mean, waaay ahead of you guys. So, maybe you should save the rhetoric for the ignoramuses who actually buy it. And by the way, your magnificent Republic has to make of profit of 11 Trillion just to have Dick Squat. I like a lot of Americans, but you guys, I just don't get. It seems you enjoy putting guns to your own head and don't wish to see the contradiction of bellowing on and on about things like national health care, while your own military is practically the biggest government-financed entity you have. Next.
Andrew B| 2.23.10 @ 7:56AM
I am glad that Miller has finally straightened up enough to do well at these Olympics. His performance in Turin was the final nail in the coffin of my Olympic viewing, something I used to delight in.
I was never handsome, talented or charming enough to get away with being a screw-up. I guess that is why I have such a low tolerance for people who can get make it work for them.
Rick Cross| 2.23.10 @ 8:37AM
Bode was a talented boy until Turin, but he was also spoiled (and therefore presumptuous), and like most spoiled children he deserved as good spanking--which Turin delivered. Now it seems that Bode is becoming a man. Viva la Turin!
GUI| 2.23.10 @ 10:02AM
Mr Cline,
I'll bet that Bode Miller will be very happy to learn that he has finally met with your approval. You are so beneficent.
Sandra_in_Severn| 2.23.10 @ 10:22AM
Something parents and teachers have been "nagging" about for centuries! Discipline and Focus on the outcomes.
Talent only goes so far, as does personality or looks. To succeed you have to work at it. And work does take discipline.
We do our children and student no favors with the "laissez-faire" approach. Bode Miller found that true in the Turin Winter Olympics.
Yosemeti Sam| 2.23.10 @ 10:57AM
Re column - "Is our Children Learning?"
To American Spectator:
Appears I strike Liberal/Leftist nerves.
Do you or do you not validate email addresses
with posts?
You let an asshole - pardon the shorthand -
speak as if he were me.
Get your AS act together!
Do you have hacker firewalls - at all?
If not - moving on!
AS Webmaster - what's up with this compromise?
John Keohane| 2.23.10 @ 11:26AM
As my uncle, a coach, used to say: "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard!"
I think sentiment applies well to mr Miller's career - and lately he is perhaps on the right side of this sentiment.
J Keohane
Pingback| 2.23.10 @ 11:35AM
The American Spectator : Bode Miller's Life Lesson Life just to Me links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Tom Handley| 2.23.10 @ 12:41PM
Mr. Cline,
You are greatly mistaken in your presumptuous opinion. You clearly do not know skiing as a sport or as a lifestyle. Miller's "failure" at the Turin Olympics resulted in a 5th place in the downhill and a 6th place in the Giant Slalom. In 2006 he finished 3rd in the overall World Cup standings. If you translate these results to a NASCAR season, top 10 results in Daytona and Talladega and third place for the season is a great success.
If you would actually listen to Miller, you would know that he skis for the sake of skiing. He is not a results oriented person. His best just tends to be better than most other skiers.
People who live in the mountains work hard and enjoy life. The take care of their towns and each other (which you may find a bit socialist). They don't think much of flatlanders or what they think. Until you have broken a sweat when the temperature is below zero, or at 10,000 feet, you should not comment about the work habits or fitness of anyone on the world cup skiing tour.
I am sure Bode Miller doesn't care what you think about him. Nor does anyone who knows the sport. Bode Miller succeeds because he is true to himself. If you made an effort to go outside and live instead of spouting assinine insinuations about how "success" is a result of some vaguely worded conservative values, you might find that success means something different to most people.
Bode Miller is the greatest American skier. He ranks 7th in all-times wins on the world cup tour. None of those ranked above him have won races in all five events. He has won 2 overall titles and six discipline titles. He has five olympic medals and five world championship medals. He finished on the podium 68 times. He was successful for 13 seasons but was only noticed in the United States when the Olympics came around.
When you think that 5th and 6th in the Olympics is a failure, you don't understand the effort and commitment it takes to just get there.
Go back to writing instead of doing.
Pingback| 2.23.10 @ 2:13PM
How Romantic: Jay-Z Runs His Fingers Through Bey Bey's Nappy A … | Jay-Z Celebrity Mo links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 2.23.10 @ 8:48PM
Robert Pattinson Admits: I Am Dating Kristen Stewart – The … | Robert Pattinson Celeb links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Richard Baker| 2.24.10 @ 3:51AM
Handley:
Hard work, focus, and dedication, among many other virtues are "conservative values?" Are you nuts? Only you liberals could see these sorts of time-honored habits as a political statement. I teach my kids these habits as a means to achieve success. God only knows then what you teach your kids.
Lincoln Colcord| 2.24.10 @ 7:07AM
Andrew Cline and several of the commentators (along with a lot of the press in general) demonstrate their limited understanding of alpine racing, get their history wrong and their logic tied in knots when talking about Bode. Mr. Cline would like to turn his version of Bode's story into a parable for children. Hard work and discipline will get you far: Bode has performed more consistently at a higher level than any other American skier, winning World cup titles (a more demanding accomplishment than an Olympic medal) every year from 2000- 2008. He has stood in the start gate at elite, world-class level races hundreds of times. What is there about that that demonstrates a lack of discipline? What about that is "troubled history?" What are "the numerous big races he could have won?" When did he "all to often ... not show up to compete?" Mr. Cline wants Bode to conform to his sense of priorities, his ideals and his neat little parable. Bode has been extraordinarily disciplined and focused on ski racing. His independent streak allowed him to adopt new equipment (he was the only one to develop the technique and use shape skis on the world cup circuit- until he started winning races on them). His lack of focus on medals has kept him in the game longer than most.
When is the press going to get over its disappointment that they were wrong about Bode at Turin? Bode didn't create the hype or the expectations. The "debacle of Turin?" He came away with a 5th, 6th and 1st in the downhill leg of the combined. He crashed or missed gates in slalom, super g and the slalom half of the combined. In alpine racing that's called pretty damned good. Rare is the skier who can even compete in all 5 disciplines. Ted Ligity probably won't do as well at Vancouver. Probably 90% of our alpine team racers over the years haven't performed that well in Olympic races. The press (and to a lesser extent, the US ski team) created expectations for someone who doesn't work well with other's expectations and when Bode (probably predictably) didn't deliver, they pilloried him.
Which is it that got Bode the gold medal at this Olympics, Mr. Cline- discipline and hard work? focus? that he decided that he wanted to win?
The discipline, hard work and focus have always been there. What's different this year is that he turned his focus from perfecting his line on a race course to winning medals. Bode decided he wanted recognition. I can go either way on that. It's not much different from changing your values in order to make more money or win political office.
Perhaps ironically, Bode didn't do the disciplined training and hard work this past spring and summer that all his competitors did. What's the lesson in that? That it "...doesn't mean anything if you goof off while your competition works harder"?
The reason Bode is winning medals is because he decided to focus on that. The reason he has, so far, gotten away with not training all summer is that in the time that Mr. Cline sees troubled history, lack of focus and discipline, not showing up to compete and irresponsibility, Bode was in the trenches focused on perfecting his skiing.
The lesson I hope my 14 year old alpine racer takes from Bode is: don't listen to the preaching, pompous pundits and don't chase the gold: good things come if you keep your own council and focus on perfecting your craft.
Tom Handley| 2.24.10 @ 12:51PM
Mr. Colcord's reply said what I failed to say. Please note that Bode took time off and showed up out of shape for these Olympic games. Bode focused on his craft, not on winning, and certainly not for some patriotic glory.
As for my kids, many know what I teach them (I would not presume to know what you teach yours). They are open minded and curious. They know science, art, music, literature and politics. They have lived in the west and the south. They have traveled abroad. They are competent and successful adults who were raised with little but never without. They play outside. They know how to work hard and to respect the hard work of others.
What Mr. Cline and others here fail to see is their own lack of respect for the hard work of Bode Miller over his skiing career just because he did not meet a trumped up expectation for results in Turin. This leads to the ridiculous conclusion that his success in Vancouver is a result of some new found conservative ideals. And in doing so, you have insulted his parents by implication.
Bode being Bode has always been exciting, with spectacular results and spectacular crashes. Ski racing fans always want to watch Bode. So he crashed in Turin and didn't in Vancouver.That's just Bode being Bode.
Becky| 2.24.10 @ 1:40PM
Let's celebrate Bode's accomplishments, instead of trying to analyze his failures. What most people don't get (and he has tried and tried to explain) is that what you, and I, and everyone else thinks simply doesn't matter--the only thing that does matter is what he thinks. Amen to that. And for those of you who disagree with that attitude, I suggest you research Maslov's Heirarch of Needs and try to understand self actualization.
Pingback| 2.24.10 @ 10:22PM
Yoga for Weight Loss Workout Kit | Weight Training Coach Wendell … | Workouts Fitness links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 2.28.10 @ 8:39PM
Ict lesson : World online computer review links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Proud mom| 3.4.10 @ 10:53PM
I am happy and proud for Bode that his talent has translated into Olympic medals however I always remind my daughter (an aspiring ski racer) that Bode says he can be proud of race even if he didn't medal as long as he knows he gave it his all. Today kids are pushed harder and harder to win by their parents and they are losing the whole enjoyment of the sport they are participating in. No one tries harder than my daughter at ski racing but she rarely makes podium If she were to listen to Bob Kostas of the world that winning is what matters she would probably quit. Instead she remembers Bode Miller quotes, 'that some years are building years' , that you can be proud of a race you didn't win. She loves ski racing for the joy it brings her not for medals. I love watching the happiness it brings her and and thank Bode not just for his wise insights but also for the donation his Turtle Ridge Foundation makes to my daughter's team that makes her ski scholarship possible.
hd dizi| 12.15.10 @ 1:47PM
thank you great web site.. i like to site
german sex movie| 12.15.10 @ 1:47PM
wuwww..!! thank you for message