Bode Miller on his Olympic experience: 'I did it my way'

[imirish06]

SESTRIERE, Italy (AP) -- Unbent, unbowed and ultimately unsuccessful, Bode Miller said in an interview Saturday he is skiing away from these Olympics on his own terms -- content without any medals and impressed by the local nightlife.

"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," Miller said in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press soon after he skidded off the slalom course in his fifth and final race, completing an 0-for-the-Olympics.

Miller came to the Italian Alps cresting on a wave of expectations and was considered a medal threat in every Alpine event. But he failed to finish three of them and his best showing was fifth in the downhill -- part of a games with few highlights for the U.S. Ski Team.

"The expectations were other people's," Miller said. "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."

As for his obligation to prepare, Miller said he was less ready for these games than the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, where he won two silver medals.

"I've been living my life as if I might have died two weeks before the Olympics started," he said. "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."

Miller said that while he might have prepared differently, he isn't one to second guess and he started each race fully focused and determined to win.

He called his Olympic experience "awesome" and cited the gold medals by teammates Julia Mancuso and Ted Ligety as one reason. Another, he said, was Sestriere's bar scene.

"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," he said. "People said, 'Why can't you stay in for the two weeks, three weeks? You've got the rest of your life to experience the games the way everybody else does.' But I like the whole package. I always have."
He compared his Olympic experience to fellow American Daron Rahlves, who was a favorite in the downhill and a contender in the super-G but didn't come close to the podium.

"Look at what happened to Rahlves. He was holed up in his RV, he's probably the fittest guy out here and he made a point of talking about how important the Olympics were to him," Miller said. "And then look -- a little bad luck and he's got nothing to show for the whole thing.

"Me, it's been an awesome two weeks," Miller said. "I got to party and socialize at an Olympic level."




--------------------------------


This guy is a huge fucking dick. He shouldve stayed home and let someone else who ACTUALLY wanted to represent their country take his place. Seriously this guy is a huge scumbag

[Emopunkthrice]

lance armstrong owns him. but him and barry are on the same level

[preppyak]

lance armstrong owns him. but him and barry are on the same level
Bode Miller has to be the joke of Olympic athletes...I mean, if Ohno made the same comments, at least he'd be leaving with medals in most of his events.

If you're not their "to win", which is how the American public judges our olympic athletes, in terms of medals, then why not only did you go, but make yourself a figurehead of the American effort with your idiotic comments

Barry Bonds > Bode Miller, because even though they both may be tainted in their sports come retirement, at least Barry is close to setting world records, not failing to finish half of his races instead

[The Big Timer]

bode miller is such a loser..........

[aminorthreat55]

I still love him.

[leafsacc]

And to think that there is some other American skier that we've never heard of that could have represented his country, not won any medals like Bode, yet could have actually given his best effort and respect the honor. He does have a point with the Daren Ralves example, but Bode Miller is the most talented skier in the world, if he had cared, he could have been the greatest U.S. skier ever.

[FondestMemory]

the whole lack of caring whether or not they one seemed to be a problem among most of the american athletes this time. that's the sad part. i don't care that they didn't win, i care that it didn't seem to effect them.

bode is by far the biggest douche of them all though. i hate that fuck.

[Flags of Dawn]

Bode Miller has to be the joke of Olympic athletes...I mean, if Ohno made the same comments, at least he'd be leaving with medals in most of his events.

If you're not their "to win", which is how the American public judges our olympic athletes, in terms of medals, then why not only did you go, but make yourself a figurehead of the American effort with your idiotic comments

Barry Bonds > Bode Miller, because even though they both may be tainted in their sports come retirement, at least Barry is close to setting world records, not failing to finish half of his races instead
but bode has passed drug tests.

[DeathCabForCoon]

He is such a fucking loser. I hope he gets stripped of all his endorsements. Thousands of people dream of being in the Olympics and he gets in and couldn't care less. He really needs to grow up if he think he can compete with the best in the world.

[FondestMemory]

but bode has passed drug tests.

bonds has never failed a drug test.

[aminorthreat55]

He is such a fucking loser. I hope he gets stripped of all his endorsements. Thousands of people dream of being in the Olympics and he gets in and couldn't care less. He really needs to grow up if he think he can compete with the best in the world.
He does compete with the best of the world, and ranks in the top five almost every single year (this has been true for the last decade). The fact that he was raised differently (his family is odd, esp. his parents) and the fact that he determines success differently than what color around his neck is something actually quite nice, or at least I think so. I'd rather see someone like this than some asshole who wants more money rather than play for a team they love for a little bit less, etc. They did a thing a few weeks back about how so many athletes get caught up in their success and let it define them, and once they can no longer compete, and lose that success, they lose their identity with them. Bode knows who he is and appreciates his ability but understands that at the end of the day, a medal doesn't define him, despite how the American public feel that is true. But whatever, I'm never going to win this argument anyways.

[FondestMemory]

He does compete with the best of the world, and ranks in the top five almost every single year (this has been true for the last decade). The fact that he was raised differently (his family is odd, esp. his parents) and the fact that he determines success differently than what color around his neck is something actually quite nice, or at least I think so. I'd rather see someone like this than some asshole who wants more money rather than play for a team they love for a little bit less, etc. They did a thing a few weeks back about how so many athletes get caught up in their success and let it define them, and once they can no longer compete, and lose that success, they lose their identity with them. Bode knows who he is and appreciates his ability but understands that at the end of the day, a medal doesn't define him, despite how the American public feel that is true. But whatever, I'm never going to win this argument anyways.

there's a difference though. it has nothing to do with success. i'm more bothered by the fact that he seemed to be more interested in partying than performing. that's bullshit to me.

[DeathCabForCoon]

there's a difference though. it has nothing to do with success. i'm more bothered by the fact that he seemed to be more interested in partying than performing. that's bullshit to me.

Yeah i'm talking about the people who missed the spot in the qualifying a few months back by seconds, they wanted to be there and compete and represent our country and make us proud. Bode was just acting like this was a vacation for him.

[Flags of Dawn]

bonds has never failed a drug test.
yet when the steroid scandal heats up he mysteriously has a season ending injury...and now that its cooled down hes ready to play..ironic.

[hockey0001]

there's a difference though. it has nothing to do with success. i'm more bothered by the fact that he seemed to be more interested in partying than performing. that's bullshit to me.

I dont see a problem with it. It's what he's always done, went skiing and went partying. He became one of the best skier's in the world that way. Why change your routine once the olympics starts?

[aminorthreat55]

yet when the steroid scandal heats up he mysteriously has a season ending injury...and now that its cooled down hes ready to play..ironic.
An injury common to high steroid users . . . hmmmm.

[hockey0001]

Barry Bonds > Bode Miller, because even though they both may be tainted in their sports come retirement, at least Barry is close to setting world records, not failing to finish half of his races instead

Bode Miller > Barry Bonds. Miller has only been criticized for partying too much. Miller has never been suspected of taking performance enhancers that would allow him to come close to setting world records.

[ActorInThisPlay]

lance armstrong owns him. but him and barry are on the same level
Are you serious? Are we really bringing Bonds up again in a thread that isn't about him...seriously people lay off or I will be forced to own each and every one of you again.

[FondestMemory]

yet when the steroid scandal heats up he mysteriously has a season ending injury...and now that its cooled down hes ready to play..ironic.

you're right. and he totally has enough money to pay all those surgeons to operate on his knees all those times. are you seriously that stupid?

[FondestMemory]

An injury common to high steroid users . . . hmmmm.

or to 40 year old athletes.

[ActorInThisPlay]

An injury common to high steroid users . . . hmmmm.
so everyone that has had a knee injury like that is a steroid user now?

[aminorthreat55]

so everyone that has had a knee injury like that is a steroid user now?
Does every athlete who has a knee injury need 3 surgeries to repair it?

[FondestMemory]

Does every athlete who has a knee injury need 3 surgeries to repair it?

some do. what the fuck does that have to do with anything? he's 40 years old. sorry if his knees aren't young and healthy after years and years playing a professional sport.

[Flags of Dawn]

you're right. and he totally has enough money to pay all those surgeons to operate on his knees all those times. are you seriously that stupid?
or pay people off to cover up something that would end his career injury or not

[ActorInThisPlay]

Does every athlete who has a knee injury need 3 surgeries to repair it?
there are plenty of athletes who have ended their careers on serious knee injuries and it isn't like he is a spring chicken, everyone needs to quit making assumptions.

[ActorInThisPlay]

some do. what the fuck does that have to do with anything? he's 40 years old. sorry if his knees aren't young and healthy after years and years playing a professional sport.
srsly...

[leafsacc]

How did a Bode Miller thread become Barry Bonds bashing? Let's not let Bode of the hook that easy.

[Drew Beringer]

Bode Miller is the biggest douche on the entire Olympic team.

[Emopunkthrice]

How did a Bode Miller thread become Barry Bonds bashing? Let's not let Bode of the hook that easy.
cuz bode talked crap on barry bonds before the olympics

[bigal00004]

Bode Miller is the best skiier in the world.

[marrost]

there are plenty of athletes who have ended their careers on serious knee injuries and it isn't like he is a spring chicken, everyone needs to quit making assumptions.Kind of like everyone makes assumptions about Kobe raping a girl.

http://home.ptd.net/~jmartine/images/bonds.jpg

[Drew Beringer]

Bode Miller is the best skiier in the world.

Hahahahahahha, how many medals did he win?

[ActorInThisPlay]

Kind of like everyone makes assumptions about Kobe raping a girl.

http://home.ptd.net/~jmartine/images/bonds.jpg
so players like Shaq who got bigger are on roids too? I would think that you could get big after more then 10 years of working out intensely. I know that Kobe's raping a girl is an assumption, I never said otherwise so I don't know what you are trying to say there. I don't hate Kobe because he allegedly raped a girl, my hate is way beyond that.

[the_champ_is_here]

bode is my boy

[Chriz2z]

I am glad Bode didn't win any medals. I would have liked another U.S. skier, like Darren Rahlves to sweep, just to show him up. Oh well, it's over now.

[Mercy Medical]

Personally I think Bode Miller is a big douche bag. Like the creator of this thread said, I'm sure there was someone who didn't make it to the Olympics that may not have the skill that Bode supposedly has, but I'm sure he had a much better focus and bigger heart to compete then this asshole.

[DeathCabForCoon]

Bode Miller is the best skiier in the world.

Actually, I think winning gold medals in the OLYMPICS defines you as the best in the world. Seeing that he won none and made a fool of himself in the process doesnt make him the best.



I dont see a problem with it. It's what he's always done, went skiing and went partying. He became one of the best skier's in the world that way. Why change your routine once the olympics starts?


Well it obviously didn't work for him if he didn't even finish 3 of the 5 events he started. I don't even see how there is an arguement here. He is a joke and an embarassment to hard working athletes everywhere.

[NameTaken69]

he probably should have stayed home and partied, given someone else the opprotunity to win a medal

[imirish06]

Does every athlete who has a knee injury need 3 surgeries to repair it?

Are you fucking serious?

[imirish06]

Kind of like everyone makes assumptions about Kobe raping a girl.

http://home.ptd.net/~jmartine/images/bonds.jpg


I'm not denying Bonds took Roids.... but if you believe that you need roids to go from picture A to picture B


you're an absolute moron.


that could be done in 1-2 years... people with right body type could put that muscle on in less than a year.


I know people that put on 25lbs in a month doing nothing more than eating right and busting their ass daily in the gym.

[imirish06]

anyways, not to get off subject

bode still sucks

[aminorthreat55]

Are you fucking serious?
(I'm playing devil's advocate)

[histrionics22]

I'm not denying Bonds took Roids.... but if you believe that you need roids to go from picture A to picture B


you're an absolute moron.


that could be done in 1-2 years... people with right body type could put that muscle on in less than a year.


I know people that put on 25lbs in a month doing nothing more than eating right and busting their ass daily in the gym.

In your mid to late 30s?

[imirish06]

In your mid to late 30s?


ummm yeah, you can. it doesn't matter how old you are. if you eat enough and eat correctly along with a good work out... you're going to put on mass. not to mention the effectiveness of legal supplements like creatine, bcaa's, and other key amino acids when piled with a good diet and exercise plan.

and there there are sooo many things you can do to naturally raise HGH levels to prodouce growth in muscle mass. regardless of age.

[bigmike]

wow, every thread does not need to turn into whether or not bonds is on roids. that's replaced red sox/yankees as my most hated baseball related discussion. there's more than one person left in the major leagues. talk about the young cleveland indians and their chances for pressing for a division title or if the white sox can repeat. fuck talk about the yankees/red sox just quit talking about barry. it's a bit of overkill.

and people need to get off bode's nuts already. so he would rather drink than ski, big fucking deal? if there was someone better for his spot on the team someone would have qualified for it. fact his, he's still a hell of a skiier with or without the olympic medals. quit grilling a guy for just saying what he wants to say when that's what we want our athletes to do. you can't have it both ways -- want athletes to be candid and then bash them for it. And these straddling the gate DQ's, to me, just show me that he was trying to cut the corner as close as possible and just overcut. it seems to me, to be the result of trying to shave the most amount of time off of his run as possible. I'd rather have that then have him finish the race 5 seconds behind the leader because he wasn't cutting the corner. get off his nuts. Or go practice and try and beat him in the slalom, then talk. jesus.

[aminorthreat55]

wow, every thread does not need to turn into whether or not bonds is on roids. that's replaced red sox/yankees as my most hated baseball related discussion. there's more than one person left in the major leagues. talk about the young cleveland indians and their chances for pressing for a division title or if the white sox can repeat. fuck talk about the yankees/red sox just quit talking about barry. it's a bit of overkill.

and people need to get off bode's nuts already. so he would rather drink than ski, big fucking deal? if there was someone better for his spot on the team someone would have qualified for it. fact his, he's still a hell of a skiier with or without the olympic medals. quit grilling a guy for just saying what he wants to say when that's what we want our athletes to do. you can't have it both ways -- want athletes to be candid and then bash them for it. And these straddling the gate DQ's, to me, just show me that he was trying to cut the corner as close as possible and just overcut. it seems to me, to be the result of trying to shave the most amount of time off of his run as possible. I'd rather have that then have him finish the race 5 seconds behind the leader because he wasn't cutting the corner. get off his nuts. Or go practice and try and beat him in the slalom, then talk. jesus.
Thank you. I love how he spends years of his time and energy to get there and then we expect him to use that opportunity how we want. If he does the work, he gets the rewards and it's up to him to use that how he wants. Sure it may be cheap that he goes out and drinks and whatever, but he did the work to get there, he can do what he wants.

[Katie Schmitz]

this guy is nothing; he'll continue to be nothing because of his lackadaisical attitude.

[bigmike]

Thank you. I love how he spends years of his time and energy to get there and then we expect him to use that opportunity how we want. If he does the work, he gets the rewards and it's up to him to use that how he wants. Sure it may be cheap that he goes out and drinks and whatever, but he did the work to get there, he can do what he wants.

yeah, finally someone else who's relatively sane when it comes to this subject.

this guy is nothing; he'll continue to be nothing because of his lackadaisical attitude.
yes, this guy is nothing. i guess the success between the 02 and 06 olympics should just be cancelled out. he's obviously worthless.

[Brownpants06]

yeah, finally someone else who's relatively sane when it comes to this subject.


yes, this guy is nothing. i guess the success between the 02 and 06 olympics should just be cancelled out. he's obviously worthless.

If you missed a clutch fieldgoal that would win your team the superbowl, you'd be considered worthless too.

[MusicScoutJustn]

bode miller is such a loser.............is basicly what it all comes back to.

[preppyak]

yes, this guy is nothing. i guess the success between the 02 and 06 olympics should just be cancelled out. he's obviously worthless.
You have to realize that the level of care between the World Cup Circuit and the Olympics is like the care between high school soccer and The World Cup.

It was THE biggest spotlight, and he had DNF's, poor run after poor run, and basically became the mainstay of the nightlife. For a country that placed him as the figurehead (now we can see that was a mistake), it's no wonder he seems worthless.

I mean, like someone mentioned, Vanderjagt hit so many field goals in his career, but what do we know him as now, the guy who missed horribly wide right.

Bode choked on the big stage, that's why I don't give a damn if he did it "his way", he's there to represent our nation as the best in the world in skiing, not to be the beer pong champ

[lucky_krystle]

preppyak i agree with most of what you just said.

for those of you who think bode is a loser.... you try qualifying for the olympics, and living up to the gigantic spotlight that the us has placed on you, and filling the high expectations of being the best in the world. everyone has their off days, everyone has their slip ups and mistakes. he was under a lot of pressure and some people just dont do well with so much weight on their backs. so honestly, give the guy a break! he is still one of the best, regarldess of the mistakes that were made in the olympics.

[preppyak]

he is still one of the best, regarldess of the mistakes that were made in the olympics.
Yep, I agree with that, he is still an amazing skier. But he's never going to live down this stigma, unless he makes it to the 2010 games, which I don't see happening.

He also had the added burden of unknown skiers like Tommy Moe coming out of nowhere and being amazing, so our expectations of a well know major skier are 10-fold higher.

[aminorthreat55]

You have to realize that the level of care between the World Cup Circuit and the Olympics is like the care between high school soccer and The World Cup.

It was THE biggest spotlight, and he had DNF's, poor run after poor run, and basically became the mainstay of the nightlife. For a country that placed him as the figurehead (now we can see that was a mistake), it's no wonder he seems worthless.

I mean, like someone mentioned, Vanderjagt hit so many field goals in his career, but what do we know him as now, the guy who missed horribly wide right.

Bode choked on the big stage, that's why I don't give a damn if he did it "his way", he's there to represent our nation as the best in the world in skiing, not to be the beer pong champ
That was the media's fault, because Daron Rahvles should've been given all this attention, not Miller.

[lucky_krystle]

Yep, I agree with that, he is still an amazing skier. But he's never going to live down this stigma, unless he makes it to the 2010 games, which I don't see happening.

He also had the added burden of unknown skiers like Tommy Moe coming out of nowhere and being amazing, so our expectations of a well know major skier are 10-fold higher.

exactly... i mean, i can barely ski down the "bunny hill" at our local ski resort, which doesnt amount to much here in indiana! haha. i dont necessarily see him making it to the 2010 games either, but you never know! that russian ice skater who got third in the womens competition was 27 years old! he just may surprise us... but i am guessing no on that. i will still remember him as an awesome skiier just based on the fact that he qualified for the olympics, making him among the best in the world!

and just like you said about vanderjagt... he has the best kicking record in the nfl and everyone knows him as fucking the colts and ruining their chances for the superbow. however... back to that particular game, the colts played like shit and the team ruined their own chances, you cant pinpoint one particular player for ruining the game, yet everyone points their finger at him!

[imirish06]

Nobody is harping on him because he didn't win a medal. We're harping on him because he made a complete joke out of his country and the whole basis of the olympic games.


He busted his ass to get there? No fucking shit. It's the olympics, not happy hour. If he wanted to drink the whole 2 weeks he shouldve just went there on vacation.