Quote:
Originally posted by island911
"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)
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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