But a silver lining for Filipe Toledo?
There was a time, in extreme sport history, that the Olympic Games were seen as our natural sworn enemy. Buttoned up, rule following, corpo and soulless. When snowboarding was first introduced back in 1998, for example, the Norwegian legend Terje Haakonsen famously boycotted, tarring the once-every-four-years bacchanal, saying later, “There’s just no respect for the history and culture of snowboarding at all. We don’t need FIS (skiing’s governing body) or the IOC (International Olympic Committee). We can handle snowboarding ourselves.”
Now, echoing those punk sentiments, pole vaulter Sam Kendricks, a two-time world champion, is threatening to boycott the Games, himself, if he makes the team. His reason, stated plainly, is that he was kicked off the Tokyo squad after testing positive for Covid even though he showed no symptoms and swears the reading was false.
“Why should I go? They left me behind and never even said, ‘I was sorry.’” the ectomorph told The Washington Post, adding, “Maybe I’m bitter, but I compete against the best guys all the time,” Kendricks said. “Everybody doesn’t understand: The Olympics is for the mamas. It’s for the mamas and for Facebook and everybody back home who wants to have something to watch and a dog in the fight. But the sport is done every day for four years in advance.”
The sort of snarl long missing in surfing, which will make its second Olympic appearance at Teahupo’o in exactly one month’s time.
Surf fans are, of course, mixed. Getting an extra helping of Head Place certainly not to be looked in the mouth but being attached to the lamestream games a bitter pill.
But here, maybe a way forward for our Filipe Toledo? The brave coward is notably terrified of Teahupo’o and the aforementioned surf fans will be on the edge settees wondering if he will paddle. History shows he will very likely not and another gift horse trotted right out.
Toledo can follow Kendricks lead, Haakonsen’s before him, and boldly boycott citing some form of anarchy.
As the voice of surfing Joe Turpel would say, “You’ve gotta love it.
No?
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New name, still way too many fucking posts. Get a life Chase.
I’m here under this sweet handle, B, until disqus gets back at me with a solution to this issue that came up with an old defunct email address I originally used. I didn’t want your derision to go misplaced. Also, B, you know I love your work down here. But there’s this to consider:
https://uploads.disquscdn.c… https://uploads.disquscdn.c…
i should note that my posts start in 2011 according to disqus, but i cant see your start date nor is it that important to me. just worth noting.
anyway I have no interest in coming here to spar with you or anyone. but i tend to have pugilistic tendencies when confronted with aggressive bullies. not saying you are one & not judging your character, but ^this post^ about me posting too much, getting a life, and having a different handle sorta fit the “bully” bill. sincerely hope you enjoy your day, B. and i always look forward to your posts. you have an important voice around here.
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men’s pole vault is rubbish. Women’s though…
I’d vault your pole mate hmmmmmnnnohhh yeaaaahhhh.
Xox
Shots put
Hey man, you’re a pole vaulter – you dont need anything from anyone!
Signed,
Trombonist
What about the skin floutist?
The correct term is Tromboner y’know
Competition is for mamas and those sitting at home wanting a dog in the fight. 100%. Thats what we love about sport and shouldn’t need in surf. Surfing > sport
I think if your still into pole vaulting after high school you must be into other things as well.
whereas adolescent pole vaulting is just youthful experimentation with the fellas?
Maybe just confused
Haha!
or young + needed the money
You’re not geigh but your boyfriend is…
is that why he keeps hitting on me?
Yes, sir…
Same with bodyboarders
What are you talking about? This was quality op-ed.
the people (& Gorilla, i think; tho my Simian is rusted) clamor for a weekend crossword puzzle.
Dez goes missing doing crook activities one has the propensity to imagine.
Xox
I’m hearing rumors the “brave coward” might shift to synchronized swimming for the Paris Olympics knowing how he rhythmically swam around Teahupo’o during his last visit
internet incels shitting on a great guy and a champ, yall are just a bunch of loosers
stop embarrassing yourselves
yo chas what is this about toledo? do u love him or just jealousy as f?
WHAT? Unlike you, I appreciate the ability of a world class athlete to pivot to another sport while finding success. And of course you do not realize how big the sponsorship contracts are for waterproof makeup in the world of syncronized swimming!
FYI, I am definitely a looser fit than I used to be bro.
Young Man Shakes Fist at Cloud
Surfing in the Olympics—surfing is so homogenized, comodified, sterilized these days, etc., surfers are about as rebellious as a Girl Scout.
Uniforms too.
YA but would you buy a cookie from a surfer knowing there is a good chance it is laced with something that might take you on a trip you’re not ready for?
no
only if it had a “core” logo on it like )( and was at the local K-Mart in the liquidation aisle
Love this!