We Have Forgotten How to Win

Watching the failure and hubris of certain U.S. athletes during this Winter Olympics has formed a question in my mind:

Have we forgotten how to win?

Bode Miller’s ongoing self-destruction and Lindsey Jacobellis’ ill-advised Method Air during the women’s snowboard-cross finale highlight our athletes’ lack of discipline.

As Calvin Coolidge famously said, “Nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent…Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”

Not that Bode and Lindsey are unsuccessful. But at the ultimate test, they have failed. They didn’t win the gold medals needed to prove that they are indeed the “Best in the World” (the arrogant motto of the U.S. Olympic Ski Team). And an Olympic gold medal is the minimum requirement to make that claim.

But they are definitely lacking in determination to win. Bode would rather party than win a medal. Bode has competed in 4 events so far and has not won a single medal. As for Lindsey, well, she would rather show off than clinch the gold.

"Who is the best in the world?" Hermann Maier, the Austrian Giant Slalom bronze medalist and silver medalist in the Super-G, bellowed with a laugh. "Anyone can say he's the best."

Bode Miller is known for talking. I wish he’d stop talking and start skiing.

Come on Bode, despite what the commercials say, ATTITUDE IS NOTHING.

Why don't you stop your late-night drinking bouts and concentrate on winning a medal in your last event, the slalom?

We’re pulling for you.

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On the positive side, there are examples of U.S. Olympic determination, persistence, and grace:

- The other Lindsey, Lindsey Kildow’s, awe-inspiring comeback from a horrific crash during practice to finish 8th in the women’s downhill.

- Ted Ligety’s surprise gold medal in the Alpine combined event.

- Apolo Ohno’s gracious bronze medal finish to two spectacular South Korean speed skaters.