Speedskating smackdown

http://sports.yahoo.com/oly/torino2006/ice_hockey/news?slug=bw-smackdown022106&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

TURIN, Italy – The smackdown between Shani Davis and Chad Hedrick didn't occur on the ice like everyone hoped it would. But it did happen. And the world missed quite a show. .... First, a quick recap:

Hedrick, a cocky Texan, came into these games with the chance to match Eric Heiden's record of five Winter Olympic gold medals. He got off to a great start when he won the opening race, the 5,000 meters.

Another of his five events was team pursuit – a new Olympic event. Much to Hedrick's annoyance, Davis skipped the team pursuit in order to focus on his individual events. The U.S. team, led by Hedrick, was upset in the quarterfinals by Fabris and the Italians, who went on to win the gold.

Three days later, Hedrick didn't bother to congratulate Davis, a quiet Chicago native, after he won the 1,000 meters to become the first black athlete to claim an individual gold medal at the Winter Olympics.
Hedrick, who was sixth in the 1,000 meters, even spouted: "Once Shani beat me, I didn't care if I got a bronze. I'm here to win. It's all or nothing."

This reminds me of the Apprentice brouhaha....

the idea of a black individual earning/winning anything by defeating white opponents is unacceptable in a racial caste society. It overturns the belief system when the "superior" people find that they aren't as superior as they've been led to believe.

I was SO DELIGHTED when Enrico took gold and Shani silver on Tuesday. Mr. AllorNothing bronzed.

Hedrick comes off as: "How dare Shani go and train alone for an event...I am supposed to win that gold medal, all gold medals".

Karma comes back and bites Hedrick squarely in the ass. Thanks Karma!!!