It’s snowing like crazy here in the east, a perfect day to kick back and watch the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
The games took me surprise this time. I didn’t think I’d get so into them. Four years ago I hardly watched anything from Torino except for some of the snowboarding and the men’s downhill skiing. That’s where I was introduced to Mr. Bode Miller of the U.S. men’s ski team. Everyone agreed he was a lock for gold, the best skier in the world.
In Torino Miller was more party animal than world-class athlete and all his downhill partying got the media attention his skiing should have…with good reason. On the mountain his efforts were sloppy and indifferent and he never came close to medaling. He let his sport, his team and his country down. Bode didn’t seem to care.
It was infuriating to witness. I kept asking myself, how could he blow this? Did we expect too much of him? In fact I was surprised how long my disgust with Bode lingered. I found myself resenting his performance long after the games were over. Finally, though, I forgot all about Bode Miller.
I was a little surprised, then, that he was skiing for the U.S. again in Vancouver. Hadn’t we seen enough of him?
Those of you who are as sleep-deprived as I am from watching the games until midnight or later know what Bode’s done this time around: won a medal of each hue—gold, silver and bronze. With nary a word about his nightlife. They say he’s settled down and grown up. Perhaps Bode realizes this could be his last Olympics. He also has the responsibility of a two-year-old daughter now, and that’s enough to focus anyone.
Bode Miller is my hero of these games. Not because of all those medals but because he personifies the possibility of personal change. Of redemption. Maybe Torino humbled him or forced him to take a closer look at his life. Certainly he’s shown humility in winning. He doesn’t look like the old Bode. He’s a little paunchy now, and a bit more mellow. Yet when he’s on the course his performance is breakneck—intense and determined, unafraid of either failure or success. The very things we expected of him four years ago, an expectation he seemed to disrespect.
These games have been full of inspiring moments. To me, nothing is more uplifting than to see a person change, because change is the hardest thing and not everyone can make the most of a second chance. Bode has.
I’m curious: Who in your life has undergone inspiring personal change? Have you? I’d love to know. Meanwhile, it’s back to Vancouver.
Edward Grinnan is Editor-in-Chief and Vice President of GUIDEPOSTS Publications.
