To Brent Mullins:

How sad that your hero, Eric Heiden, has let you down. I hope you can carry on with your life through this difficult period of disillusionment and readjustment.

Also, thank you for filling us all in on what a schmuck Heiden is. We should all be grateful that you made it your responsibility as a "journalist" to expose him for the fraud that he is. After all, you and your brother, your only "source", really deserve the final word in this matter. Why even try to get some kind of comment or explanantion from your fallen hero or the organizers of the ceremony? It's more brave to wing it. Such, dare I say it - HEROIC work on your part! Amazing how you scooped everyone else on this story!

It really is sooooooo disheartening to learn the truth about Heiden. To learn that despite being the all-time best in one sport, achieving world class status in another, graduating from Stanford Medical school and becoming an orthopedic surgeon as well as Olympic team doctor, Mr. Heiden is a louse. Thank you for sharing your pain and exposing this loser. I'm sure it's comforting to know that as our heroes fall around us and we're "robbed" of our fantasies about them, we can rely on your judgment and determination to uncover the frauds and right the wrongs they've perpetuated by being who they are.

Stay vigilant, Mr. Mullins! Don't be depressed! We need more heroes like you!!

Today's New York Daily News has an article on this subject as well. A quote from Heiden regarding his decision to not participate in the opening ceremonies:

"I don't want to diminish what the hockey team did. But who ever won five gold medals in one Olympics? Do you have to win six? I guess you've got to race a couple of the women's races."

In an interview with Sporting News Radio Heiden said:

"They asked if I'd be one of the last guys carrying the torch, and I told them I wanted to be the last guy. They said they couldn't do that. And I said, "Well then I have other things to do" so I turned them down. I think it would be an honor and I thought I was a pretty good candidate."

I can understand him being disappointed and all, but the "all-or-nothing" attitude is just so out of touch and inappropriate. Heiden's accomplishments are tremendous. But most American's fondest memory of the Winter Olympics is the 1980 hockey team.

Whoa, Jupiter, relax there. Constructive criticism is far more effective when it's not layered in harsh sarcasm (see: Jacques Strappes). The sports hero myth is alive and well in almost every sport; what else are the journalists to do?

I was not surprised at all by Mr. Heiden's reported decision not to participate if he couldn't carry the torch; certain qualities that propel elite athletes (read: actors, singers, sports stars), such as single mindedness, complete self-involvement, and immense ego saturation, don't always carry over well into civilian life.(see: "Where Are They Now?" on ET) Hey, these guys are used to having all the glare on them; things can get a little tough when it goes away...It's his choice though, and he certainly deserved to carry the torch...And while Mr. Mullins should have made an attempt to speak to Mr. Heiden (did he?), the article never claims to know what this accomplished athlete is thinking...

[ February 13, 2002: Message edited by: Bryan ]

I am in total agreement with Eric's decision. He is our most successful Winter Olympic athlete... and a doctor!

I posted a message on the "Opening Ceremonies" thread with the same information about Eric Heiden on 2/8 (there was an article in the SL Tribune the preveious day). I was HOPING it was not true and was some misinformation put out by the producers of the OC to keep people guessing.

[quote]Originally posted by George_vikingfan:
In an interview with Sporting News Radio Heiden said:

"They asked if I'd be one of the last guys carrying the torch, and I told them I wanted to be the last guy. They said they couldn't do that. And I said, "Well then I have other things to do" so I turned them down. I think it would be an honor and I thought I was a pretty good candidate."

---

I'm trying to put a positive spin on these remarks, probably unsuccessfully.

Two things surgeons are not known for are humility and free time. I saw the Olympic torch, and it was an hour late. Perhaps the torch committee could not give Heiden an exact time for him to carry the torch, and he had to decline on the grounds that would not be able to commit to a wide time slot due to his medical duties. The final carrier of the torch, on the other hand, does know exactly when he or she is needed.

Lest your think Brent's views are somehow off the wall, here are some headlines and excerpts:

NY Daily News: ERIC THE GREAT CARRIES TORCH FOR SELF
Four days after the Opening Ceremonies went on without him, Eric Heiden was busy at the Olympic Oval yesterday, experiencing a vicarious thrill and doing no second-guessing about his controversial bow-out.
"I wouldn't change my decision," said Heiden, leaning against a barricade, a few minutes after Casey FitzRandoph became the first U.S. skater since Heiden to capture the men's 500 speed skating gold medal. "I don't want to diminish what the hockey team did. But who's ever won five gold medals in one Olympics? Do you have to win six?

"I guess you've got to skate a couple of the women's races."



Wisonsin State Journal:
HEIDEN SHOULD BE ASHAMED
As proud as Eric Heiden made me feel with what he did as an Olympic speedskater in Lake Placid 22 years ago - five gold medals, five world records - he disappointed me with what he said last week as an Olympic bore in Salt Lake City....

Cleveland Plain Dealer:
Olympic Stadium couldn't hold Eric Heiden's ego
... Heiden was always a different personality. In Lake Placid, he broke the world record in the 10,000 meters and didn't stay to watch the competition. He left, showered, ate, then returned.

Los Angeles Times:
He No-Shows True Colors
Twenty-two years ago, the world wanted to love Eric Heiden, not merely admire his feats. He made sure that didn't happen by presenting himself as a smirking smart-aleck--a highly skilled, superbly trained, sensationally successful smart-aleck but a smart-aleck just the same. He responded to serious questions with pat answers, to less serious ones with retorts. He told the country that he was much more appreciated in Europe and was skating for himself, because it was something he liked to do.

Aloof to the point of arrogance, he lifted himself above it all, simply couldn't be bothered.

Wow...nice guy..

Jeez Eric. Nice attitude bro.

[quote]Originally posted by Jim at Outsports:
Cleveland Plain Dealer:
Olympic Stadium couldn't hold Eric Heiden's ego
... Heiden was always a different personality. In Lake Placid, he broke the world record in the 10,000 meters and didn't stay to watch the competition. He left, showered, ate, then returned.

---

10,000 meters? Maybe he left to throw up. I'm still looking for a silver lining.

Somehow I always thought Eric Heiden was a true sportsman. Another misconception bites the dust.

Prior to this week, I never even heard of this Eric guy, but I've always known about the 1980 Hockey Team.

Way to go Eric with sharing the Olympic spirit with the younger generation!

first of all why shouldn't he have a high opinion of himself? Do we not think it appropriate when Ali proclaims that he is "The Greatest"? What would Ali have said if he were asked to just be another torch bearer instead of the final one?

In many respects, Eric Heiden is "the greatest" of U.S. winter olympians. he has the right to expect special treatment. he's not guaranteed. but he can ask or it.

by the same token, the Salt Lake Olympic committee was equally inflexible in saying that they would not even consider having him light the cauldron. (that was their right also) remember. this is the same committee that received much scrutiny for buying the IOC votes with money and gifts. so.... bargaining seems to be their forte. so to speak.

so then why is Heiden the only one receiving flak for this episode?

I for one didn't think it appropriate when Ali used to refer to himself as "The Greatest," especially after he evaded the draft. Nor did I think he was that great when he served up the first samples of what has now become affectionately known as "trash talking." And, despite all the smarmy hagiographies lately written of him in the press, in and outside Hollywood, I still don't think he's much more than a loud-mouthed brute from a "sport" whose qualities will ever be lost on me.

The Heiden controversy resurrects what I call the "Achilles factor" in sports, particularly American sports. Too often, the overweening egos, singleness of purpose and all too often resulting self-absorbtion do NOT make for a nice transition once the vehicle starts to show signs of wear. It's not a pretty picture as the athlete lurches out of control and, as events have shown, people can get hurt and even killed along the way. This is a basic flaw that needs a fix. How to do it, I don't know, but it's a problem that's been with us since the ancient Greeks.

[quote]Originally posted by gmginsfo:

The Heiden controversy resurrects what I call the "Achilles factor" in sports, particularly American sports. Too often, the overweening egos, singleness of purpose and all too often resulting self-absorbtion do NOT make for a nice transition once the vehicle starts to show signs of wear. It's not a pretty picture as the athlete lurches out of control and, as events have shown, people can get hurt and even killed along the way. This is a basic flaw that needs a fix. How to do it, I don't know, but it's a problem that's been with us since the ancient Greeks.[/QB]

---

What? Heiden makes an unpopular decision not to participate in the opening ceremony and he's "out of control"? How exactly is he out of control? Is he beating his wife? Is he a hopeless drug addict? Is he committing other crimes against society that I'm unaware of? Doesn't seem like it. In fact, I think I just saw him on TV the other night at the speedskating rink. He's the US Speedskating team physician. He looked pretty controlled to me.

I saw Heiden cheering for Casey Fitzrandolph during and after his gold-medal winning 500 skate. Maybe Fitzrandolph has a different, more positive, more REALISTIC assessment of Heiden's character. Then again, why bother to ask someone who actually knows Heiden when we can rely on the media to paint the picture for us? How many of us think we REALLY KNOW SOMEONE (!) because of what we read or see in the media...........?

The achilles factor in US athletes you cited does exist, and it is a problem, but Heiden doesn't fall into this category of athlete by a longshot.

I say good for Heiden in being his own man. He is clearly a remarkably successful person who achieves what he sets out to do and does it on his own terms. He has never cared about his public persona and certainly doesn't care about the media. There's a refreshing lesson in there somewhere.

You misread me, Jupiter, and would benefit from a more jovial approach. I said that "it's not a pretty picture as the athlete lurches out of control." In the context of my post, indeed, in the second paragraph which didn't specifically address Heiden, this referred to the usual progression of athletes generally afflicted with the Achilles factor, not where Heiden specifically is now. Witness any number of pro football and basketball "stars" whose lives have become enmeshed in drugs, criminal prosecutions and broken families. Thankfully, Heiden isn't there yet. Unfortunately, he's showing the first signs of heading in that direction.

Heiden refused to participate because he felt his sport was being dissed -- sorry guys, but it wasn't all ego: "I can tell you that the speedskating community is very happy with what I did, and so was the European press. The people in Europe were very disappointed that I wasn't there."

[quote]Originally posted by gmginsfo:
You misread me, Jupiter, and would benefit from a more jovial approach. I said that "it's not a pretty picture as the athlete lurches out of control." In the context of my post, indeed, in the second paragraph which didn't specifically address Heiden, this referred to the usual progression of athletes generally afflicted with the Achilles factor, not where Heiden specifically is now. Witness any number of pro football and basketball "stars" whose lives have become enmeshed in drugs, criminal prosecutions and broken families. Thankfully, Heiden isn't there yet. Unfortunately, he's showing the first signs of heading in that direction.

---

I don't think I misread you. I'm in complete agreement with you about the Achilles factor and the problems it presents, but I think you're way off the mark in lumping Heiden in with that group of athletes. You begin your second paragraph by saying that "The Heiden controversy resurrects....the Achilles Factor" - that seems like guilt by association to me and that's what I was objecting to. You didn't make a clear distinction.

In your follow-up message you say he's showing the first signs of heading in "that direction". Are you saying that now we can expect Heiden to commit violent and/or destructive crimes since we've witnessed the extent of his monstrous ego in refusing to participate in the ceremony?

If that's what you're saying than I respectfully and jovially disagree. I think that's a gross oversimplification of the achilles factor (big ego=bad athlete) (speed skating=pro basketball or football).

If I'm still misreading you, then accept my aplogies and clarify for me.......
by: Jupiter ]

[ February 14, 2002: Message edited by: Jupiter ]

[ February 14, 2002: Message edited by: Jupiter ]

I'm with Jupiter. I'm just befuddled as to where you're getting some of these "points" and how you extract these projections in the life of Eric Heiden. "Heiden isn't there YET. (emphasis mine) Unfortunately, he's showing the first signs of getting there." ????? How do you propose "drugs, criminal prosecutions and broken families" will be a result of Eric Heiden M.D. (orthopaedic surgery) refusing to carry the torch? Have you seen him say "I am so perfect, I can shoot heroin and my olympic medals will prevent addiction"?

one more thing... (and I admit. this is nitpicking) You call this the "achilles factor"
Achilles was dipped in the river Styx making him impervious to bodily harm except for the one spot by which his mother held him. That is "the achilles factor". The spot of vulnerability was not the source of his strength nor was it responsible for any of his successes. It simply was his one hidden spot of vulnerability.

what you're talking about regarding Heiden is not his failings or areas of vulnerability. You're talking about the very qualities that gave him success in the arenas Heiden has played in. (athletic, educational, professional) how else do you get to win 5 gold medals and break world records in each one except through sigle minded determination? How do you make yourself go through all that crap without thinking "yes. I will be the best" These are his strengths. not his weakness. Do they possibly impede him vis-a-vis "normal life"? Definitely. One can not train for the olympics as a medal contender and expect to date seriously or drive kids to practice and cook dinner every night.

Achillles' downfall was his heel (his weak spot) not his strength and battle victories. Eric's hidden weakness is not his strenght and determination.

The characteristics you choose to criticize are the very qualities that placed him on the gold medal podium 5 times.

"Put my face on a cereal box? No thanks. I didn't get into skating to be famous. If I had, I would have played hockey." - Eric Heiden, 1980

Pretty ironic given recent events, eh? Kind of revealing too.

I also came across this in a story about Casey Fitzrandolph:

FitzRandolph hails from Verona, just outside Heiden's hometown of Madison. His father, Jeff, serves on the U.S. board of directors for speedskating and has been friends with Heiden for years.

So one of the first people FitzRandolph hugged after clinching the gold was Heiden, U.S. Speedskating's team doctor. After thanking him for inspiration, FitzRandolph asked whether Heiden had seen the videotape of his TV interview as a 5-yearold. He laughed and said he had.

''I've known Casey since he was a little kid,'' Heiden said. ''He's from my hometown, and to think that he started because of what I did, well, that's a pretty nice honor.''

Well, Jupiter, I guess we do disagree. What I've been saying is that he's showing the first signs of going bad. Hopefully, that's as far as he'll go, but to me these are the first signs. I've seen it in others and this is how it starts.

Re: Achilles factor, I know all about his Stygian armor; it was his taking off his armor and skulking in his tent before the walls of Troy in remorse for his lost amour Patroclus that led me to choose that term. Isn't that a bit of what Heiden did in SLC? (No, I won't make the obvious pun and call him a heel!)

[QUOTE]Originally posted by gmginsfo:
[QB]Well, Jupiter, I guess we do disagree. What I've been saying is that he's showing the first signs of going bad. Hopefully, that's as far as he'll go, but to me these are the first signs. I've seen it in others and this is how it starts.


That's exactly my point. Your definition of "going bad" is...........? What do you realistically expect from Heiden next? You've obviously given it some thought. How about a hypothesis? What will be the headline?

More important, what other athletes are you comparing him to? OJ Simpson? Mike Tyson? Is that reasonable? You're not making any distinctions, so how can I? Before we write him off as an anti-hero, doesn't the way Heiden has excelled and conducted himself in the last 22 years deserve any consideration and contrast with this (overblown) opening ceremony incident?

I don't mean to be difficult or belligerent, although I'm sure I seem that way. And, I will let this go now (maybe). I just think you're making a pretty serious statement and I feel compelled to challenge it.

Kind of a reach to think that he's somehow going crazy or something. I don't like his decision, but let's not exaggerate the importance of this. He's the one that missed out and years from now may come to regret his decision to pass up an opportunity to be a part of the opening ceremonies. Then again, maybe he just plain doesn't give a s$%t!

Yes he did alot for the Winter Olympics and the speedskating community. But they also have done alot for him as well. He's just wrong to think he was owed this. You didn't hear Mark Spitz raise a stink when Muhammed Ali lit the cauldron in Atlanta. Very similar situations. Most people would have viewed this as an honor rather than a responsibility.

In total agreement, George! That's what I thought too: Hell, he's the one who's missing out. Maybe he doesn't care, but I would.

I don't know Eric Heiden personally, and for all I know, he's the most self-centered human being on the planet. But gotta say, I can understand his position. I don't think there is a greater Winter Olympics achievement than Heiden's 5 gold medals. To think that he won every event, from the shortest sprint to the longest distance, and set world records all the way ... it's almost unreal. And since the 1980 Hockey Team was kept so secret, I doubt anybody could have told him, "Sorry, pal, but even you get 2nd billing to the Miracle On Ice."

Would I have turned them down? Heck no! Then again, I haven't been so much as a water boy at the Olympics. Maybe my answer would be different if I swept every gold medal in a sport.

What ung and George and BoSox said!

I'm new here, and don't want to step on anyone's toes, but golly, I'm glad every aspect of my personality and every decision I make are not out there for you guys and the editorial writers of the world to scrutinize!

I don't think Eric raised a stink, and I don't think he brought shame to himself by not participating, as some editorials and posts here have suggested. He simply didn't want to participate as a torch runner. Granted, his "I have other things to do" was not the best way to decline, but who among us has not used a variation of that line to get out of doing something you just didn't want to do? At least he didn't say "screw you" (that we know of). If he really wanted to raise a stink, he could have held a press conference or something to air his grievence. In the quotes I've seen, he's just honestly answering the questions put to him. He just didn't care to participate unless he was given the honor of lighting the cauldron. So what? Let the man alone.

Finally, I believe if it were not for 9/11, Eric would have been chosen to light the cauldron. Usually the torch lighting is a celebration of athleticism, but this year it was a celebration of patriotism such as this country has not felt since the 1980 hockey team victory.

My problem was Eric's all-or-nothing attitude. Either he lights the torch or he ain't attending. Waaah-waaah-waaah. He was given the chance to be part of the torch parade, an honor the other athletes gladly accepted. I think his actions and words are more than subject to fair criticism. He is a public figure and fair game. His comments since, where he didn't back down from his original stance, shows he knows criticism is part of the business.

Say what??? He's a public figure? How? He is not an elected official. He is not an official on any of the governing boards/committees. He has retired from ice skating and is now a practicing physician. In other words, he is a PRIVATE CITIZEN. He can do any damn thing he wants in his private life; including declining invites (no matter how honorific) and maintaining his privacy.

He has not done a single thing to publicise this. as stated earlier by someone else, no press conference, no press releases.
we, in the media and on message boards are the ones making a big deal about this by calling him everything short of the anti-christ.

It's like this.... let's say for whatever reason, Gwyneth Paltrow asked me out. I (of course) would say "no thank you". (for my own reasons - her being a girl for one)

If word of that leaked out. would people then jump on my case about what an honour it would be to date Gwyneth? Would they call me arrogant for turning down what many would give up a kidney for?

As a private citizen, don't I have the right to determine what I do in my life without having to justify it to anyone?

Thanks, Jim@OS, you hit it right on the head. I never said the guy was "somehow going crazy or something" or anything close to it; others misread what I wrote and made an iceberg out of an icicle. What I took issue with was his selfish attitude, which said, "either I get to go last or I'm not going at all!" And I made, and stand by, that observation simply because I've seen it so many times in other athletes. It needn't devolve into criminal behavior but it needn't be suffered for the unsportsmanlike - and ungentlemanly - conduct that it is. He opened the door to fair criticism and that's exactly what he's been getting here, his defenders' distinctions notwithstanding.

[ February 14, 2002: Message edited by: gmginsfo ]

[quote]Originally posted by maxallen:
Finally, I believe if it were not for 9/11, Eric would have been chosen to light the cauldron. Usually the torch lighting is a celebration of athleticism, but this year it was a celebration of patriotism such as this country has not felt since the 1980 hockey team victory.

---

I think the hockey team would've been selected either way. But it's too bad that they couldn't have had Eric Heiden and the hockey players light the cauldron together. Heiden's accomplishment is definitely deserving. It's not his fault that he wasn't an underdog who pulled off a miracle.

Guys:

Eric did his Orthapedic residency here in Birmingham and went to my gym. He was a genuinely nice guy and exhibited no ego. That would put him in a SMALL minority of doctors (especially Othapedists) without a huge ego.


I remember watching the US hockey team beat Russia to enter the final round. It was one of the most spine tingling events in Sports History. They definitely deserve to be acknowledged.

In typical American fashion, the USOC and media have made such a spectical of the torch that every Tom, Dick and Harriet has the opportunity to carry it. Now, would you, as the single greatest Winter Olympic Athelte in American history, want to be just one of the masses? Sorry if that isn't the "PC" attitude.

Give the man a break. He is a productive member of society, gave Americans a tremendous sense of pride during his Olympic days and continues to give back to his sport. What more do you want?

let me say "amen" to what you say about orthopedic surgeons and their ego. When I was doing my fellowship, I worked closely with the head of Orthopedic surgery dept for a research project. He thought he was God and a bag of chips. uuuhhhhh....... let's just say that was not a productive relationship as I have a low threshold for B.S. tolerance.


I'm glad you said what you did about Heiden, I feel it's okay for me to be in love with him again. Woo hoo!!