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The Surf News InsiderThe latest surf-related news from the coconut wireless. Edited by Chris Mauro. Recent Comments backsidefive says: "This is what I love about Kelly Slater...He's made a career out of doing what he loves but he doesn't put himself on top of the world just because he's the best there is and possibly one of the best overall athletes around. He has fun and just does his best, and even though he is the best, he's not arrogant about it. He has a great attitude and everyone should learn from him! Keep grinding hard Slater!" backsidefive says: "I think everyone likes winning more than losing. The important thing is to enjoy what you're doing....take it seriously but not so serious that you're walking around with a stick up your a$$." backsidefive says: "I agree. Surfing is way underrated in the US and Slater deserves more credit than the press gives him. He always has been and always will be a beast! Keep grinding hard Slater!" catherine gwen says: "This American can appreciate the talents of Slater... in fact I know quite a few Americans and one Canadian @ www.backsidefive.com that feel the same way. Grinding harder ;)" | < previous 207 of 357 next > For snowboarders, brighter lights bring bigger problemsAfter turning in another round of heart-pounding performances at the Vancouver Olympics, the world's best snowboarders are trying to enjoy what time they have left on the world's biggest stage. While the athletes' dizzying moves in the halfpipe are something they have command of, navigating the rapidly-evolving media -- where every camera phone is potentially as powerful as a satellite truck, and every Twitter post is fair game -- has proven much more challenging.  Bronze-medalist Scotty Lago is the latest snowboarder to be caught in an embarrassing situation after pictures of him partying Thursday night appeared on the gossip website TMZ on Friday. That Lago would be partying is hardly surprising or even controversial. But fears that his behavior may have offended the IOC's reverence for their Olympic medals (which were starring in the photos) compelled him to apologize to U.S. Olympic officials on Friday before "voluntarily" packing his bags and heading home. Several U.S. snowboard stars have been caught in sticky situations during their time in Vancouver, some more hilarious than others. Greg Bretz, 19, won a McNugget eating contest two days before his halfpipe event started. Hannah Teter is all over the headlines for selling her underwear to charity, and has been bogged down defending the decision to media. Even Coach Bud Keene's expletive-laden pep talk to Shaun White was captured on live television on accident by NBC. Snowboarding and snowboarders have had a tenuous relationship with the Games and the omnipresent media ever since its 1998 Olympic debut in Nagano. Minutes after snowboarding's first gold medal was awarded to Canadian Ross Rebagliati, the IOC marked the milestone by rushing through the door and stripping it away. Rebagliati tested positive for marijuana. Whoops. Back then, snowboarders had enemies, too. None bigger than the skiing community, who cited Rebagliati's bad PR as more proof that snowboarders -- the young, unruly and unwashed tribe of rebellious little fringe dwellers -- remained a threat to their very way of life. The battle between mountain tribes was already fracturing the cultural fabric of families, businesses and even entire towns at the time. To this day, snowboarders are to skiers what bicyclers are to drivers. And, you might say, skiers are to snowboarders what cops are to convicts. But a dtente was eventually achieved thanks to the smell of money. The ski industry has now made billions of dollars off snowboarders. And snowboarders have pandered to the skier class to gain entrance to their bank accounts, their Games and most notably the hallowed mountain-sides they were once barred from even using. But after years of bending to other people's rules, snowboarders have definitely found their place. Even this year's U.S. team uniforms speak to this. The clean, conforming Yankee pinstripes of 2006 have been abandoned in favor of flannel tops and big, baggy, tortured denim pants (actually bomb-proof Gore-Tex fabric with high detailed graphics) that pay homage to the sports' rebellious past. Thanks to Shaun White's popularity, snowboarders are much more willing to let their guard down and be themselves again while under the bright lights. That's a dangerous proposition in a TMZ and Twitter age. Snowboarders are proud to be here in the Olympics, and they're unquestionably athletic, but it's important to know that most of them couldn't care less about being "athletes." Bretz (who also was captured in the background of one of the TMZ photos) summed that point up best when he spoke of his pre-Olympic workout routine: "I was planning to go to the gym last year, but it didn't really work out." A little too much light on our heroes can be a dangerous thing. But we certainly shouldn't be surprised that some snowboarder got captured acting silly on a night of celebration. We should, however, be saddened that he had to flee his Olympic moment simply because he was TMZ'd. Scotty Lago and Shaun White in the right kind of light. Photo: Dennis via Getty Images Channels: Snow < previous 207 of 357 next > |
Chris Mauro
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11 Comments
1-11 of 11
Posted by serenity_now February 20, 2010 03:27pm PSTReply | Report Abuse
So what. These are fun loving kids. This country is so puritanical...
Posted by armoore3 February 20, 2010 03:42pm PSTReply | Report Abuse
Seriously? There is nothing wrong with them. They are just having a good time and everyone is being way to judgmental. These poor athletes are taking more heat then praise after they worked so hard and won medals for our country. Just leave them alone.
Posted by sunkitty February 20, 2010 04:31pm PSTReply | Report Abuse
i think the people who thought anyone should go home for those pics need to take the poles from their a$$es and let the kids have fun and be happy they have a reason to celebrate in the first place. stop being so jealous.
Reply by serenity_now February 20, 2010 05:02pm PSTReport Abuse
hahaha. amen.
Posted by pologuy41 February 20, 2010 07:18pm PSTReply | Report Abuse
You forgot to mention that Rebagliati got his gold medal back because pot wasnt a banned substance. After that incident, the IOC made it a banned drug.
Reply by mermaidatx February 21, 2010 08:07am PSTReport Abuse
Just goes to show that smoking pot doesn't mean you can't be a badass athlete! Just like drinking a beer doesn't negate that!! I was a titled bodybuilder and I have always smoked!
Posted by ehawk7 February 20, 2010 07:58pm PSTReply | Report Abuse
If I was Scotty Lago's age, I would've almost certainly done worse. Let them have a good time. They're young athletes, not priests.
Reply by mermaidatx February 21, 2010 08:08am PSTReport Abuse
AGREED!
Posted by footballlovinwoman February 20, 2010 09:48pm PSTReply | Report Abuse
LOL! You’ve got to be kidding me! Firstly, White’s coach had the right to say anything he wished. If the athlete I had trained for years had just won gold, best believe I would not be watching my language. Maybe the NBC cameras shouldn’t have been so close to their faces? Secondly, Hannah Teter selling a line of panties to benefit a charity, how exactly is THAT a gaffe? It’s not like she’s on e-bay auctioning off her used panties or something, get real! That woman is kind and doing what she can for a great cause. Finally, Scotty Lago is young and a guy. Let’s face it most guys I know would have done much worse…maybe he could have waited until he was out of the Olympic spotlight to do so, but either way he apologized and left, so it’s time to move on!
Are our athletes and coaches seriously supposed to think out every single action, every word, so as not to offend someone? Let them have fun and be themselves, they’ve worked hard, and they can’t be perfect little role models every second of every day.
Posted by markus kurtz February 20, 2010 11:16pm PSTReply | Report Abuse
I'm proud of our athletes and I know they are REALY PROUD, BUT many of us who have served our country find that the way our athletes parade around the Flag,wearing it like it was a scarf or shawl and even wading it up, is disrespectful to the flag and those who have died for it. Our Flag is only worn on a casket. The flag is to be waved on a staff. Please use flag Etiquette and have a good time waving it proudly.
Reply by sunkitty February 21, 2010 08:14am PSTReport Abuse
oh ffs! i was in the military for almost 9 years, and there is no disrespect in the way they are celebrating. it might not be kept military way, but theyre not lifting it upside down on purpose and theyre certainly not burning it. ffs! theyre celebrating their country and their success in representing the USA. and ive seen ALOT f military do ALOT worse during port calls then Scotty did with that medal.
Posted by ufc is sux February 21, 2010 08:02am PSTReply | Report Abuse
"Minutes after snowboarding’s first gold medal was awarded to Canadian Ross Rebagliati, the IOC marked the milestone by rushing through the door and stripping it away. Rebagliati tested positive for marijuana. Whoops."
Unless the Olympic event in question is Combined Hostess Ding Dongs Eating, marijuana is NOT a performance-enhancing drug in any way shape or form. Why is it being tested for by the IOC?
Posted by danabs February 21, 2010 08:25am PSTReply | Report Abuse
Do you people actually read the news? Scotty Lago was EXILED he did not leave willingly he was thrown out by those old, smelly, puritaniccal, useless A$$holes of the USSA in fear of the Olympic Vommittee (misspelling) on purpose! All these athletes for all intents and purposes are young I think the old *arts with the sticks up their rectums should be replaced with younger people and TMZ should be boycotted and banned! Dig a little deeper people Scotty Lago is this years Olympic scape goat. And that information came from his furious father after his son was sent packing after winning a medal for his team and his country. Sounds like the USSA is getting more and more like big brother every day!
Posted by ladyjude February 21, 2010 01:07pm PSTReply | Report Abuse
It was well published that the Olympic community was prepared with 100,000 condoms for the Olympians as that is what Olympians do ... lots of energy to release. I think it is a bit sad and over the top to send Lago home for a suggestive picture. He apologized... his clothes were on.... just having fun.
Posted by kristain77 June 3, 2010 05:19am PDTReply | Report Abuse
When the 2006 movie 'Something New' hit the big screen, all pro-interracial dating writers and bloggers alike raved so much about it. It was kinda like a savior. This was a movie that was supposed to inspire people to change their attitudes towards interracial dating. Have our attitudes about interracial relationships changed since the 2006 movie? But how come it's still so tough to date interracially?
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