5 Minute World Wide Fire Works

// August 6th, 2008 // Sup

Well, well, well, this is certainly not how I anticipated starting off my Olympic experience.

I can’t say much at this point simply because everything is scrutinized severely. It’s hard for me to not attach emotion to this, those of you who know me, know what I’m talking about, but what I will say is this,

“I am only doing what I perceive as best for my health and upcoming competition.  I, nor any of the other athletes involved were attempting to make a political statement of any sort. We meant no offense to the great host the Chinese have been and all appreciate the hard work and devotion they’ve displayed to provide this venue. We are honored to be here, and this has been a long time dream. The bottom line is that we are here to compete faster, higher, and stronger while doing so clean, brave, reverent, and courteous trying to represent our country in the best possible way.

“Everyone is entitled to their opinions. I will continue to wear my mask where I deem fit. It’s my life and health in the long run, and I would never do something that would purposefully or intently harm the best interest or the public view of either my Country or other Countries in attendance.

I understand that the moment chosen to wear the masks directly off the plane may have been poor timing on our behalf. We are aware now of the image it portrayed, but as I stated in the NYTimes, If this had been a city in the US with any significant pollution level that might interfere with athletic performance, I would have done the same thing. Also, keep in mind that it’s not just “pollution” we are worried about, but also getting sick. All the the athletes here are in peak form, and everyone is susceptible to getting easily sick. It’s just a precautionary measure for the best performance come game day.”

110 Responses to “5 Minute World Wide Fire Works”

  1. Bilko says:
    September 10, 2008 at 11:50 pm

    the digital age is amazing, isn’t it? good and bad all in the same place…. i cannot believe how many crazy posts you have…. and you have provided me with more reasons why I should not blog myself. I hope you post something new soon, so you can move on as well as we can too…. hope to hear about the end of the year and what’s up now.

  2. chuff1 says:
    September 11, 2008 at 5:03 am

    Would liked to ben able to see you here for the incomparable Tour of Misery. But I heard you get to go back to Europe for a couple of fun rides over there here at the end of season. Best of good fortune, hang in there as I know you will. PUT something new on YOU UP. PLEASE>

  3. bena1916 says:
    September 15, 2008 at 6:38 pm

    Dude, wow so unbelievable. When this story first hit back when you got off the plane I poked a little fun at you over on FGF but had I known how poorly the USOC was treating you and the others I would’ve behaved differently–my appologies. And for these a-holes that clearly don’t know their ass from their elbows to hell with them–clearly dip shits.

  4. Jeff Petruno says:
    September 16, 2008 at 7:21 am

    “We were called a disgrace to the United States team and were belittled and embarrassed by the very people that are supposed to be advocates for us,” Hammer said in a telephone interview Monday. “They treated us like we were just stupid athletes and like we didn’t matter.”

    Hey Sarah:

    A. You were a disgrace to your country.

    B. You are a stupid cyclist.

    C. You should have been forced to apologize.

    Jeff in New York City.

  5. E McBee says:
    September 16, 2008 at 9:08 am

    wrong on all accounts, Jeff.

  6. joe fineman says:
    September 17, 2008 at 6:59 am

    Hey Mike; Now that the truth has come out in the NY Times and the cycling web sites where are the apologies from the “big mouths” who were so critical of you,Bobby, Sarah and Jennie. They are afraid to admit that they were wrong. They are typical of very sad individuals who act like ignorant morons. It takes a very special person to admit that they screwed up. It is obvious at this time that these people are really sickos.Take care. Continue to keep your chin up. Joe Fineman

  7. Marc Cote says:
    September 17, 2008 at 9:20 am

    Mike, I just read today’s USA Today and felt the need to let you know that from the first I heard of this story that I think Steve Roush is world class jackass. You, Sarah, Bobby, and Jennie were well within your rights to wear masks, as most of their citizenship does when the Chinese government doesn’t care who is looking. You shouldn’t have been pressured to apologize and you were not any kind of embarrassment to the US. Fact is, the Olympic games should not have been held in such a polluted location, but the USOC is about nothing but the money.

  8. wishiwereameatball says:
    September 21, 2008 at 4:09 am

    Who da fuck is Jeff Petruno? comments regarding Sarah, Mike, Jenn, and Bobby are as stupid as any I’ve ever heard. For one New Yorker to read another’s ridiculous bullet points in this blog and GamJam’s shows me this idiot has no idea what he is talking about and has proven himself to be the most un-savvy New Yorker ever. I hope this guy Jeff figures out the big picture of life soon, before it becomes too late for pea brains to emerge. For if he doesn’t he’ll simply decay like an unpicked tomato that fell off the plant in a field in outer space. Oh, I see now, he’s already decayed.

  9. Eugene says:
    October 23, 2008 at 12:13 am

    Nice article. Thanks. :) Eugene

  10. Poosterot says:
    December 19, 2008 at 9:20 pm

    friend has given the link has not regretted that has come

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