I was talking with one of my coaches this morning and he said, “did you see that Bode was back!”

Was I confused? Did Bode actually go somewhere? Was he abducted? When I asked him, “should we tell the media to turn off the “Amber Alert?” he didn’t seem amused.

Kidding aside, Bode has been here all along… pushing and plowing his way through media scrutiny and most recently his competition. I always wondered what all the fuss was about. Everyone knows that skier’s favorite post workout meal is a beer. Long day on the slopes=a couple beers. So, Bode simply stated the obvious. Apparently that was a taboo subject for both the US Ski Team and the media. Let’s take a look at the facts of Bode’s performance over the last 2 years:

Career Highlights:
2006
World Cup Overall: 3rd
USA Championships: 1st

2005
World Cup Overall Title
World Cup Super G Title
World Championships: Gold in both Downhill and Super G

Okay, no Gold or Silver at the 2006 Olympics but let me make one point here…the best athletes are always the most consistent. And in this case, Bode meets those criteria. The Olympics were designed or redesigned if one truly looks at history, as a way to bring nations closer together, to have the youth of the world compete in sports, rather than fight in war. It seems that now the media and the mass public to some extent, has made it more about the medals and less about the camaraderie and sportsmanship. If golf were an Olympic Sport and Tiger Woods placed 4th do you think anyone would say, “Oh, he’s all washed up”. No, they would look at his overall life in the sport and say, “so what… he’s still one of the best athletes golf has ever seen.”

Bode and I have different training regiments. He definitely likes to let loose after a hard day of training where I might get loose with a few stretches. Just because we have different philosophies on life and training doesn’t mean he doesn’t deserve his due. For those who may say he disrespected himself and his country I would ask them to take a look in the mirror and ask themselves if they’re perfect. In Bode’s mind he’s doing what he wants, not hurting anyone along the way, and for the most part is making many positive societal contributions. As for the media and the reporters who made Bode’s comments out to be more than they really were, ask yourself how much time and money you have donated to a cause other than your own before you lay judgement.

To check out a sample of Bode’s training program check out his new video Flying Downhill at our website www.fitskiing.com or at their website at www.flyingdownhill.com

Stay Fit Skiing!
Andrew Hooge, CSCS
www.fitskiing.com