Well, after the 1500, Hedrick came across as totally classless. He said if they reran the race, there's a 90-95% chance he or Davis would win.

Hedrick is my least-favorite Olympian. Seems like a total dickhead.

The two of them acted out after the race and at the press conference. They're both a couple of jackasses. Can't wait for these stupid Olympics to end so we can get back to our regular jackasses of the sports world.

Absolutely and amen! I am glad the Italian won.

[ February 21, 2006, 07:04 PM: Message edited by: Cattledog ]

Wow, first the Italian ice dancers, now these two jerks. Wonder what's next.

Yeah, they are both asses.

Shani is a cocky, angry, self-righteous Momma's boy

Hedrick is a cocky, arrogant, loudmouthed Tex-ASS cowboy

It is so funny- I am so glad NBC went to bat for their stories and they really blew it with Golden Boy gone bad and Sad sorry Shani being as exciting as a sardine in his interview.

JOEY CHEEK, baby- he is going to be the story of the speedskating world after this... he is simply the class of them.

On his Website the top link is to Black gay/sgl activist Keith Boykin's site. More power to him if he's gay/sgl. Also, congrats to him on the gold and silver. I thought he had the gold in the 1,500 because he was well ahead of Fabris' time, but after that last turn you could see he'd tired.

I am SOOOO happy for Enrico Fabris! He thoroughly deserves this and quite frankly if Simon Kuipers (4th) or Wennemars (5th) wasn't gonna be able to do it than I am glad it went to Fabris. He and Cheek are, in my opinion, the TRUE stars of these Olympics in regards to speedskating.
I am also ecstatic that Shani pipped Hedrick to silver. Davis is very well respected among the international skaters (as is Cheek) and Hedrick has let his true colours show. The man has no class and he can blame the media all he wants, HE started this firestorm. Its curious that in the pre AND post-race interviews both skaters granted dutch tv Hedrick was busy talking himself up as a virtual lock and totally fixated on Shani while Shani kept saying "Hedrick is just one skater, I am focussing on ALL the skaters cause he may not end up being the one to beat." How true.
What Hedrick was attempting to do was damn near impossible, winning 5 golds. He may be the world record holder but I think he is gonna be too tired to win the 10,000m. I suspect you will see a Dutch/Norwegian podium there as the Norwegians have had a disastrous games and will be focussed on saving face in their strongest event. Watch out for dutchmen Sven Kramer and Carl Verheijen. I predict Kramer winning gold!
Once again, I have never felt SHani is gay and they say his girlfriend is Shannon Rempel but hey, one never knows.
Anyway, enjoy the mens 10,000 guys. Its a long sit somewhat akin to watching grass grow!

Some speed skating images you might enjoy.

Hey Jim! Glad you managed to get in contact with Ewoud Broeksma. Speedskaters have the most amazing asses!!!!! and they skate real fa st too hhahahaha

Surely I can't be the only one who hoped Davis and Hedrick would get into a slapfight. A peripheral aspect of their sniping has fascinated me: the discussion of whether this feud will elevate interest in speedskating in the USA, sort of like how the Kerrigan/Harding incident focused attention on figure skating.

What dismays me that the Hedrick/Davis antagonism and the overall lack of graciousness seems so much expected than the magnanimous gesture exhibited by Joey Cheeks.

~Adam

It was so great to see Fabris win. He really seems sweet, not to mention so fine. Definitely the most deserving.

As far as Hedrick vs. Davis goes, I'd say Davis came off much better in and out of the competition last night. Certainly a lot more sincere -- one way of putting it -- in his congratulations for the gold medalist.

I love how Hedrick started out with a bunch of excuses in his rinkside interivew. Aww, he was tired from too many races -- hey, wasn't that his choice, not to mention exactly why he's riding Davis so hard? Then he claimed he doesn't make excuses. Meanwhile the interviewer tried to give Davis an excuse re: the false start but he wouldn't take it.

That's interesting about the link on Davis' site.

According to the NY Times, the Dutch fans love Shani and loathe Hedrick, which directly echoes what Richman was saying.

The organization benefitting from Joey Cheeks--Right to Play--is going to market t-shirts worn by Joey and created by Cheeks' sister. The shirts read THE FASTEST CHEEKS ON ICE

~Adam

The Dutch do love Shani.

I heard when the Italian guy won the gold a bunch of American speed skaters were doing hi-fives. They were thrilled that neither Shani Davis nor Chad Hedrick won the gold. I think they look at both these guys (Davis & Hedrick) as big babies.

What have the Olympics come to when Americans are doing hi-fives when their fellow Americans lose out on a gold medal?? :confused:

Shani and Chad are both at fault here for letting this controversy erupt in the first place. Both had personal agendas that competed with each other, to the detriment of the entire team. I am glad that both of them had their turns on the medal stand, but it is unfortunate that these shining moments have devolved into petty in-fighting. Thank God for individuals such as Joey Cheek, who uplift themselves and the sport with their unselfish acts.

On a more prurient note, I do find Chad Hedrick absolutely gorgeous; Texans really have it better! And Joey Cheek is just adorable! I wonder if anyone could post a shirtless photo of Cheek, because I am dying to know how hairy his chest is!

Shani Davis and Chad Hedrick have been elected to carry the US flag together in the closing ceremonies.

Just kidding! It'll be Joey Cheek.

Well, tonight Shani showed up to cheer on Hedrick's 10,000 meter race. He cheered and called out Chad's name the entire race. When it was done, the TV reporter let Hedrick know this, and, true to form, he was very dismissive. What an ass. I guess Hedrick was also enraged he yet again failed to win his second gold of five projected gold medals, which a Dutch guy (de Jong) ended up getting. He actually looked pretty crazy in the interview.

Perhaps Shani and Hendricks are really secret gay lovers...

How 'bout Bode Miller, Joe, or would Bode blow that, too?

Bingo..sort of.
This is exactly the way straight guys act when they have hardons for each other but can't express it any other way. Our pathetic homophobic society can be thanked for that. Anyways, read that these two could be going up to some snow covered mountain together to practice. BBM of skating anyone? Conservative white Texan canoodles w/ liberal black Chicagoan!

Way to go Apolo!

Ohno's 500m victory added something sweet to all the bitterness about and amongst the US athletes this Olympics. His enthusiasm upon winning was great to behold.

Apparently Bryan felt that this post was completely worthless so I am deleting it.

[ February 28, 2006, 03:26 PM: Message edited by: kick ]

Believe it or not, people can be supportive and close without some secret affair. Apollo's first hug upon winning was with a cute asian girl at the side of the rink - did ya notice that? Apollo and Shani are apparently best pals - that's called friendship.
Hendricks and Davis's friction looked manufactured to me, if not, they both need to grow up. And Davis looked to me far more the pouty girl than Chad. These guys need lessons from Apollo on how to be professional and a good sportsman.

Apollo's performances last night were a wonder. He skated the perfect race to win the gold after a very scary quarter and semi....He was the epitome of a great anchor in the relay - and the four americans were clearly united in their victory. Great stuff after a disappointing and melodramatic Olympics. Can someone please take the coverage away from NBC?

Question -- somewhere on these boards someone said something about Chad's eyebrows, suggesting they were shaped or tweezed or something. Maybe. But he looks like he has a scar on his right cheek that could extend all the way to his right eyebrow (the chief eyebrow offender). Did he have a nasty accident from his in-line skate days requiring stitches or something? Anyone know?

[ February 26, 2006, 04:04 PM: Message edited by: NorthernSwim ]

Joey Cheek inspired another skater to donate her prize money to charity...