When you are wrong, you are wrong. Here are two emails I got yesterday after my ‘quit whining Lindsey Vonn’ post.
She had an obligation to disclose her injury since her lack of practicing everyday on the hill would have spurned a lot of questions. Plus she pulls down a significant amount of money from her sponsors who also want to know what is going on. It would have leaked out anyway.
Bottomline, it was obvious from her run last night that she was favoring the leg. Regardless, nothing should distract or takeaway from an incredible accomplishment under much scrutiny and sacrifice that she has endured, not only recently but throughout her career.
She delivered in the clutch yesterday and certainly made me proud of American guts and fortitude.
and the gentler
Overcoming adversity is at times an advantage in sports and in life. She is injured and did not make it up. She was not the one in charge of the media blitz that drummed up all the attention regarding her leg. They asked, she answered. It was obvious she had an injury. Now consider that the ice rink they call a ski hill is so amazingly difficult to ski on that the most excellent skiers would have a difficult time just getting down a hill such as that at modest recreational speeds. It is crazy diffiucult. I would not even venture to try it if given the chance.
So, silly me. Those were just two of the emails I got yesterday, and I do understand that sometimes you just don’t see the forest through the trees. Forgive me Lindsey, you are my new hero. But what was with the swimsuit for Sports Illustrated? Can we talk about that? Or was she perfect in that as well?
Anyway, here it is. My first blog retraction. I was wrong Ms. Lindsey.
I’m so impressed with Vonn and all the other skiers who compete with injuries. Winning an Olympic medal is so very difficult even if you’re in perfect shape, and so many of these women and men have had injuries during training runs or during the World Cup events. We forget sometimes that before they get to the Olympics, these athletes have been competing in many World Cup and other events all winter, leaving many of them recovering from various injuries. I’m in awe, partly because I’m such a wimp myself.
I had a minor hand injury a few weeks ago, and although it’s mostly healed, I haven’t been back on skis since, because gripping the ski pole is a little painful. Of course, I don’t have the hopes of a nation or dreams of gold to prod me back onto the slopes. I’m thrilled to watch Vonn and the other skiers get out there and attack the icy mountain, win or lose.