So Whats Up With Shani Davis?
 

Davis nails a gold in the 1000, saw his interview and man did he seem pissed! I don't know the story but this guy has a chip...

He's pissed because he's catching flack for pulling out of the team relay, which cost the US a certain Gold, in order to focus on his individual medal. He doesn't think it would have happened to a white athlete.

Maybe not but then again not sure some of the white bread know how to deal with a brotha.

Yeah, I think he might have a point. The Olympics is the quintessential indivudual arena. He had a chance to make history by becoming the first AA to achieve an individual gold, and I think it sucks that the achievement is tarnished by the questions.

If I were a man named Shani, I'd be pissed too!

The other athletes temporarily put their individual focus & goals aside to compete as a nation in the relay. They risk fatigue & injury just like Davis would.

He was supposed to participate in the event and chose not to. He let his teammates down, plain and simple and I would be pissed as well if I were in their shoes...

That said, full marks for winning the 1000m and a 1-2 finish.

Ralph

I thought the reason for not participating in the relay was that Hedrick did not wan't him on the team. Davis then decided in stead of creating a scene, to withdraw himself

Probably never know the whole story.

According to Shani himself he didn't want to fatigue himself in the relay just prior to his individual competition.

I noticed his mother, who figured prominently in the "athlete profile" and appears to be his biggest fan, was nowhere to be seen after his win last night. I bet that has something to do with it.

He put his own personal glory ahead of the team and his country. Shame on him.
If he didn't want to compete in the team races he should have made that decision long ago, not wait until the last minute and leavce his ex-team mates hanging. Then he has the balls to pull the race card.
Typical.
If any company is dumb enough to use this clown as a spokesperson, I will not be buying their products. He has embarrased his country and sent the wrong message to our kids.
Hopefully he will fade in obscurity quickly and without profit.

I didn't reaize that he pulled out at the last minute. I only watched a few minutes last night, but NBC's coverage did not leave me with that impression.

Are you saying that he came to Torino as part of the relay team, but decided at the last minute not to compete in that event? How would they even find a substitute?

If he did that, he should have been kicked off the team!

he was appointed to the team months ago and pulled out three days ago saying he never intended to run the team event. oh yeah and the reason everyone is mad at him is because he's black
what a joke
steve

I'll tell you what, he should love NBC then, because none of the coverage I've seen indicated that he did that! They keep saying what a hero he is, first black athlete to win an individual medal at the Winter games, blah blah blah

Abandoning your team at the last minute is inexcusable.

"Team" WTF!? Those guys don't train together, so how does that make a team?

Isn't it enough that Shani Davis represents the US with a win? Is he required also to jump thru all the media-hype hoops?

Geeze, he is just some dude who wants to focus on one thing; his event. Why is he required to focus on events and interviews outside of his focus? --just because he may help the 'team' (in name only)

I'm hearing two different things.

If he went to Torino as part of the relay team, he has to compete in the relay. If he reneged, he should have been kicked off the team.

If he decided months ago that he did not want to skate relay, well, that may be selfish, but it's his right I guess.

Saw his Mom interviewed in a featurette. She's just as angry and sour as he is - about life in general. Makes it easier to understand why he's adopted the "victim" stance. Too bad. He's a very talented guy.

What media type hoops? Even though the speed skaters apparently don't train together (or even like each other), the fact is Davis was part of the relay and chose just before to abandon his teammates. He should only be allowed to pull out due to injury, not because he has a change of heart or wants to send a message to someone.

His grievances with the U.S. Speedskating Federation are well documented, so why didn't he be up front and simply say I want no part of it right from the beginning? I (and others) would have respected that.

So I guess by your definition all of the NHL players playing for their respective countries in Men's Hockey aren't really "teams" either, eh?

They don't train together, in fact most arrived the day before the first games and had one hurried practice together to try and learn the various systems they will be instructed to play.

Most of these guys are multi-million dollar athletes that have an obligation to their NHL teams (and their GM's are all holding their collective breaths that their "assets" don't get injured) but relish the opportunity to represent their country.

Some of these guys play for the same country but don't like each other as well, yet they put their personal feelings aside for a couple of weeks for the betterment of their team and country...

Ralph

I think the whole US Olympic team has problems lately. Nobody is interested in team, there don't seem to be any rules for any of the athletes to follow. Bodie Miller is just running wild doing whatever the hell he wants, Davis is "doing things his way". It will be interesting to see what happens during the next Olympics. If I was a sponsor putting up the money for these spoiled brats to party for two weeks and "phone it in" when the competition starts, I'd have a few "pre-nuptual" rules to be adhered to. The latest generation of US athletes is really leaving a bad impression on me.

First, the relay IS a team sport, so yes it does make them a team.

Second, I think this guy is talented and it is great that he won, but he represents our country, not just himself. That is why they play the our National Anthem while he is on the podium wearing the red, white and blue of our Country. As for representing the US, he has done a poor job in my opinion.

Third, like it or not, dealing with the media and criticism is part of the game. Giving such a negative interview after he just won the gold really reflects poorly on our Country, not just the individual.

Fourth, anyone who has ever played sports knows that you don't let your team down. You don't put your personal interest over your teammates. He did just that by going to the Olympics as a team member of the relay, then backing out for his own personal gain.

Bottom line: This guys just does not have a clue what the "SPIRIT" of the Olympics is all about.