That's why my favorite Olympian is Joey Cheek! He's the only one that seemed to have gotten beyond the "ME, ME, ME!" attitude. I hope he wins the 1,000m and beat Davis for the Gold medal. Joey Cheek has promised that he will donate any additional future winnings to charity (specifically the starving children of Sudan). He has already donated his $25,000 bonus after winning the 500m.

We need more decent human beings like Joey Cheek! He is truly an inspiration!



http://www.nbcolympics.com/athletes/505685...853/detail.html

are y'all flipping high??? so let me get this straight: this guy's supposed to ignore his best chance at medalling and jeopardize his performance in the one event he's trained for so that someone else can break the single games speedskating medalling record? after hedrick unknots his panties and finds a shelf for his medal(s) he probably should let a bit of air out of his ego and reflect on how his attitude fits into the concept of "team." i don't know davis from adam: but it's not a far leap to see why this kid might not fit in with the speedskating establishment. i invite you all to visit shanidavis.org and take a gander at the bullshit that this guy's having to read on his message board. i hope you're as outraged as i am.

I agree that Hedrick is the dick to expect Shani Davis to sacrifice himself so that he (Hedrick) can go for 5 gold medals (as of yet he hasn't won any). I'm sure Shani Davis (just saw him interviewed: he trains in Calgary) already feels like he's the odd man out on the team (being the only black man in a sport full of whites and Asians), and for people to say he's not a "team player" is just unfair. Hedrick rudely said that he was happy that Joey Cheek finished second, but had no congratulations for Davis's gold medal performance. Not congratulating your teammate's win... yeah, that's being a team player. That's class.

Joey Cheek, of course, is the class of the field, donating his prize money to a charity helping children in Sudan, and challenging sponsor companies to match his donations.



Give this man a medal!

[ February 18, 2006, 04:20 PM: Message edited by: canmark ]

Hedrick won the gold in the 5000m event.

Congrats Shani!!! I'm so glad he won. One, as a black person, I think it's just cool seeing blacks participating in the winter Olympics, let alone winning, it's so rare in the individual sports. Anyone remember ice skater Debbie Thomas? Second, Shani probably would have gotten more grief - undeserved for that matter - if he hadn't won the gold.

As for Hedrick, he's such a hypocrite. He keeps harping about Shani not being a team player or patriotic. Please, Chad had his own agenda at this Olympics, 5 gold medals. The team pursuit was a means to an end for him. He's just upset Davis had the audacity to focus on his own mission instead of Chad's, go figure.

I will remember this Olympics partly for Bode's failures and the unbelievable annoying Chad Hedrick. Don't expect a slew of endorsements, honey.

Hedrick is incredibly annoying and self-absorbed. On the other hand, Davis has a chip on his shoulder the size of a a boulder. The only thing worse than a sore loser is a sore winner, Shoni.

I just saw Shoni's interview and he came across like a total prick (he might have a good reason but it came across badly). He and Hendrick deserve each other. In contrast, Joey Cheek smiles and smiles and gives away his prize money to refugees. Quite a contrast.

[ February 19, 2006, 09:15 PM: Message edited by: Jim at Outsports ]

Jim, I totally agree with you. I've had enough of the Chad/Shani drama. Unfortunately, the media loves this kind of intrigue. Hopefully, Joey Cheek's unselfish acts won't be lost in all the commotion.

Cheek cuts another check after speedskating silver

Cheek creates buzz with charity organization

I totally love Joey Cheek. He's the geeky guy next door who grew up into a hunk! And, who says nice guys don't finish first?

I read an article claiming that he only wears Bjorn Borg underwear (only sold in Europe). His girlfriend said that she got him some new ones when she was in Sweden during the holidays since she was tired of seeing him rotating the same two pairs. Now, if that isn't enough proof that he is straight, I don't know what will. And, I'm not talking about him having a girlfriend.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/to...eek-cover_x.htm



[ February 18, 2006, 10:24 PM: Message edited by: Westwood ]

Joey Cheek is adorable...and a hairy chest too! LOL

Chad seems like a privledged pretty boy and Davis seems like a big prick.

I wish the Korean team would be charged with what they frequently do. I forgot what it is called.

Will Apolo win gold???

[ February 19, 2006, 04:00 AM: Message edited by: Chill-Trick ]

Why is it cool seeing a black athlete? It's cool to see an American do well in the Olympics..black, white, red, gay, woman, etc...

Don't go down the Gumbel path.

I do LOVE me some Joey. He comes from Greensboro, which is less than an hour away. However, the underwear story does lead me to believe he does not play for our team. Which is fine. I will just have to pretend he does!!

In terms of Shani. It is great that he won. However, I don't think Hedrick is being a dick to him. There is a LONG history of issues with Shani and his mom going up against Team USA Skating. (The real problem is that Team USA Skating cannot get these guys to think much like a team period.)

In concept, these skaters are there as a team to represent their country. They are supposed to allow the coaches to put the best skaters in the races to help the team win medals. This is not supposed to be just about individual glory. It would be like Lindsay Davenport playing Fed Cup, but refusing to play doubles so she had a better shot at winning her singles. You play what your team needs you to play.

However, Team USA is very fragmented, so there is no real loyalty to the team concept. I don't think Hedrick was wanting to win another medal. He was wanting Shani to show some respect to the other skaters. Which he didn't and clearly doesn't plan to during the Games.

Shani Davis trains in Calgary with the Canadian team, and has many positive things to say about Jeremy Wotherspoon (unlike most Canadians, who think he's a choker). Perhaps that's why the US Team doesn't have team spirit: they don't train together and some of them don't like each other.

[ February 19, 2006, 06:58 AM: Message edited by: canmark ]

What Xander wrote is almost the complete opposite of what Bryant Gumbel said. He didn't say it was only cool if black athletes won. He just said it gives him a good feeling because Davis won.

Saw Joey Cheek on the Today show this morning. Talking about his silver and his charitity work. Every time I see or hear from him he just gets more adorable. He seems to be a very decent guy. He has definetly become my favorite personality at the olympics.

Some questions about Davis not skating in the relay-Was he originally scheduled to do so and then backed out? Was he part of the pursuit team that qualified for the games? Or do they just assemble a team for the event from the singles skaters and Davis just didn't want to do it?

Oh and one more question-Who the hell told Hedrick that those Joan Crawford eyebrows were a good idea? Did he lose a bet? Maybe Davis' mother did it to him, hence it the animosity between the two divas.

[ February 19, 2006, 08:05 AM: Message edited by: George Twins fan ]

The question no one seems to be asking is "Did Chad Hedricks decision to go for five by including the team pursuit instead of saving his energy hurt him in the 1000?".

Was Davis selfish or Hedrick greedy.

I think that it would have been great if the USA had finished 1-2-3 in the individual 1000, but Hedrick may have eliminated that possibility in pursuit of five for himself. Who will ever know?

In defense of Shani Davis...

I am glad that Shani was able to set and achieve his goals, but he just has a major chip on his shoulder.

It is sad that in this day and age, when most athletes are proud to represent their country and just be amazed about participating in the Olympics, that we get animosity on teams like this.

Shani demonstrated that he was here for himself, to win an event for himself and simply achieve something for himself.

He was completely classless in his post-victory interview with NBC. If anything, he could have at least demonstrated a minimum of interest in order to show himself in a more positive light.

Despite the fact that he may or may not know it, he is a role model to young men and women. It is a shame that he showed little or no joy in showing them that his hard work may be enjoyable.

On another note, although it does happen, I have rarely heard of athletes declining to participate in team events for their country even when it makes their individual events more difficult. Tell that to swimmers and runners and cross-country skiers who compete in more than one event....

I just wish when athletes have an opportunity to represent their country, that they gut it out. I don't forgive Pete Sampras and other U.S. men who wouldn't compete in the Davis Cup because it didn't suit their personal goals... and I will not forgive Shani Davis for not competing in his event.

When the honor to participate in events to represent your own country, you should answer the call... who knows- maybe being part of the pursuit and bringing victory together as part of a team could have been the start to healing the wounds that have developed between members of the U.S. team.

There are always others who would give anything for that chance.... it is a shame when others pass it up.

EDIT:
I just wanted to post that I believe that those participating in the pursuit did not have to participate in all of the races. Similar to track and field and swimming, I think that those participating in the earlier rounds could get medals too. So the question of whether or not Shani would bump another skater might be lost... but Im not 100% sure about this.

[ February 19, 2006, 10:05 AM: Message edited by: kick ]

Okay, Hedrick is just a jerk. On ESPNews they have a clip where their reporter asked about his non-congratulations of Davis.

Reporter: "How do you think that sounded, though? Do you see how maybe that sounded a little odd? He is your teammate."

Hedrick: "Is he my teammate? (laughs) Okay, he's my teammate."

He then added that he respects Davis as an athlete and had nothing further to say.

Those are good questions. It would seem rather foolish of the US to simply assemble a team for an event like team pursuit without having the team practice together. It requires a lot more team work and communication than a relay. Although come to think of it, I wonder if the US would have won a few more track and field relays if they had a regular team that practiced together.

If Shani had been practicing with the team and pulled out at the Olympics, then, absolutely he is selfish. But if they assemble the team on the fly, I don't see that he's under any obligation to compete in a particular event. After all, he represents his country in every race, not just the team races.

Well, Shani DID wear a White Sox cap during his victory lap, so that's fine with me!

ya know...in retrospect, davis should have skated the pursuit for the good ol' u s of a. i'm sure nothing would have made him prouder than to represent the very same folks anonymously posting on his own site's message board. here's a sample of such post:
"Just like a nigger, absolutely no loyalty to the country that gave him this opportunity, he says screw the team, screw the country, it is all about him. MAY HE FALL AND LOSE AND GET ZERO MEDALS. SELFISH NIGGER."
yeah, i've no clue why this guy's got a "major chip on his shoulder."

Hi guys, I find it so unfortunate the way everyone is on Shani Davis' case. I did not see the NBC interview but I can tell you the interview he granted Dutch tv was just fine and he was quite happy. Also notice the reaction he recieved from other international skaters who were truly happy for him. Shani trains in Calgary with the Canadiens and splits his time between short track and long track. In Holland he is a household name and he is respected and, more importantly, accepted. That does not appear to be the case on home soil.
Someone else mentioned the ad-hock way of putting together the USA team pursuit team. It needs to be said that Shani has NEVER skated the event before (and most likely never been asked prior to the Olympics) and the USA was going up against Italian, Canadien and Dutch teams that had practiced for this. The Italians have been focussing on this team event for 2 years and it showed. The event requires a stunning amount of teamwork and strategy and it would not have been smart to chuck him in in the last minute.
Someone else also made the point that EVERY medal is a medal for the USA. All the skaters who skated in pursuit did not manage to skate to their potential in the 1000 such is the toll they had to pay. Hedrick is full of shit and a selfish sore loser.
Shani is a champion and I hope he beats Hedrick in their head to head duel.
Cheek is the class act of the group till now but it really dissappoints me how so much of America is so anti-Shani without really knowing and understanding his reasonings which really were sound.
For the record, Eric Heiden is NOT as negative as many people try to paint him. He said many positive things about Shani and all people focus on is the one sound byte where he is not a team player. People, speedskating is not a team sport.

btw, if you are looking for more hotties try Mark Tuitert from the Dutch team, a bronze mesalist in the Team Pursuit. here is a website with some great pics of our dutch athletes! enjoy

groetjes uit amsterdam

http://www.broeksma.com/

Culled from Discuss the Olympics [Shani Davis and Racism by Ryan Quinn]
So are these guys prima donnas or just ass****s? I want to root for Davis. I want to think that there are some young African-American kids out there watching who are inspired to give winter sports a try because of what Davis has accomplished. But I don’t think any kids should be watching the immaturity on display from Heiden, Davis and Hedrick. In the meantime, I’m more likely to root for Joey Cheek, who’s donated to charity the $40,000 he’s earned from winning his silver and gold medals and who is big enough to maintain friendships with both Davis and Hedrick.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I think it's a real shame that all this media attention on the subject kept Shani from enjoying his gold medal. Hopefully it hasn't as much as it looks. The media can't wait to get another quote to add fuel to the flame. These sportsmen should know better and not feed the media. Chad Hedrick says he doesn't want to talk about it anymore and then he gives another comment. And I remember the first story I read about Chad Hedrick where it was stated that the Dutch refer to him as "The Loudmouth Texan." He's proven them right. Also, even though it is true that Shani got to where he's at by himself, he should learn to be more diplomatic and not let his true feelings show. I think they've both lost many opportunities for endorsements and to showcase their sport - a sport that should but doesn't get the attention it deserves in American sports media.
Let's not forget that this event is the first time they've had it on an international Olympic level. It's really unproven and it came right before Shani's specialty where he holds the world record, the 1000 meters. I don't blame him for not wanting to race, in an event that they have not even practiced in or competed before, right before his specialty event. I think he made the right decision, it was just handled poorly by the media. The skaters involved, should learn to be true Olympians. Joey Cheek has shown the qualities of a true Olympian. I am proud that Joey represents America.

[ February 20, 2006, 12:53 PM: Message edited by: simontexas ]

Hi Richman:
Welcome and thanks for the perspective from the Netherlands, where you all know your speed skating much better than us!

Thanx Jim, enjoy the 1,500m
there are gonna be some fireworks. Everyone is talking about Shani vs Chad but do not underestimate Enrico Fabris (its his best distance), Simon Kuipers, Erben Wennemars and Jan Bos of Holland
by the way, its absolutely remarkable that the USA has won every distance for the men so far, I do not think the American public realises what an amazing performance that really is
congrats and good luck tomorrow, may the best man win wink

Enrico Fabris is the hottest skater I've seen so far, so I'll root for him! wink

I have to ask is Shani Davis gay? We all know he is a mama's boy, but I'm serious....how can you be as much drama as Shani Davis was during that interview yesterday following his gold medal victory, and not be gay? That dude had drama oozing from from his eyes down through his entire body. Only we are allowed to be that much drama. If that dude is not gay, then he must have studied "gay drama culture" because he was mastering it to a T...lol

Did anyone else get this out of his interview?

[ February 20, 2006, 06:43 PM: Message edited by: amazin12 ]

actually Shani has a canadien girlfriend, also an Olympic skater, Shannon Rempel. At least he did before X-mas, not sure whats going on with that now. I do not get a gay vibe off him at all.
for those of you who are curious, Dutch national broadcaster Nederland 2 did a one hour portrait on Shani before the games (januari 19th), they followed him during the whole pre-season up until x-mas.

For those who wanna see who Shani really is follow the link and click on "'Dubbel Davis', een voorproefje" and you can watch the profile which is actually quite good. they also did an EXCELLENT one on Eric Heiden on the 6th of January

http://www.nos.nl/nosstudiosport/artikelen...9/index_av.html

The 1500 should be interesting. Even Eric Heiden thinks Shani did the right thing in skipping the team pursuit. Hopefully the media will downplay the tension, but I'd hate to see Hendrick's behavior if he wins. He seems to have some assh*le tendencies.

It's the way he was so rude and nasty during that interview and then immediately at the conclusion of the interview he gets all giddy when he sees the Japanese camera people.

To go from from major attitude and plain rudeness to being all giddy and campy; come on that entire sequence was sooooooo gay.