Cadel Evans with teammates
It’s not often you’re publicly abused before breakfast. But that’s what happened after my Today Show appearance when I exclaimed that I didn’t understand the huge deal about Cadel Evans and thought the coverage of sporting victories was disproportionate. My skin is pretty thick but I will admit the abuse came as a bit of a shock.
Not to my husband. When I called him on my way into work, reeling from the complete slagging that was happening on Twitter, he said “What happened on the show?” and I said “Cadel” and he said “Oh no babe, you didn’t do your ‘sportspeople aren’t heroes’ thing, did you?”
Um, yes. I did.
I didn’t wake up on a hobby horse. I noted that Cadel Evans had won the Tour de France and I thought “oh, that’s nice for him” and that was about it.
My first hint that I was out of step with popular opinion came when the Today Show producer called to tell me about the topics for this morning’s What’s Making News segment.
“Karl wants to do the whole thing on Cadel.” What? The whole segment? Really?
Then, I watched from the make-up room as Karl called for everyone on the set, including Lisa, Dickie and Alicia at the desk, to rise for the national anthem to celebrate Cadel’s win.
There was talk of a public holiday.
And that’s when I started to become really baffled.
The rest is a blur, possibly a nightmare and certainly something I wish hadn’t happened because nobody needs to be called 500 different awful names before they’ve eaten their Weetbix.
This is our segment:
This was my general point:
Good on Cadel. I’m sure it was an achievement and great that he won. I’m not taking anything away from his physical sporting achievement. It’s impressive to be the best in the world at something.
But I’ve always had a problem with the way Australian sportspeople are revered as heroes and worshipped above every other profession.
To me, heroes are people who help other people or who somehow work selflessly to benefit others. Nurses, doctors, scientists working to cure diseases, those who work with sick people or disadvantaged people, fire fighters and those who risk their lives in wars or their daily jobs, those who volunteer…..you get the drift.
That’s my definition of hero. I’m not saying it should be yours.
Clearly, I am in the vast, vast minority here (I certainly know that after today having been called a dog, a bitch, unAustralian, a stupid, ignorant fool, told I should lose my job, fuck off and shut the hell up, go back to writing about lipstick……and that is not even the worst of it).
But sportspeople – who spend their lives honing their physical skills with vast support from sponsors and teams of support people – well, I don’t think the word ‘heroes’ applies to them particularly.
I think pursuing a life doing something you’re good at for the benefit of yourself is not heroic. It’s not a BAD thing, I’m not dissing Cadel (of course not!) but the idea that a sports person should be idolised because they can ride far or jump high or swim fast is, to me, a bit odd. I guess I’m just flagging the fact that if you do well in sport, the country and the media stop to worship you in a way that doesn’t happen to anyone else for doing anything else.
The abuse I received was instant and it continues, seemingly unabated. I have a pretty thick skin but by 8:15 I was in tears. I genuinely miscalculated the level of viciousness my comments (which I have made many times before) would provoke. My bad. Not for stating my opinion but perhaps for misreading the mood and the audience.
Many people have made the point that it’s great to have role models for kids to look up to, to encourage them to get on a bike or kick a ball. I agree absolutely. They’re certainly better role models than rappers or reality TV stars.
But I only wish other kinds of heroes would receive the same media and popular adulation, that kids could see that you could be wildly popular for helping others or doing something other than having a physical skill.
My husband explained to me that it brings people together and that this can’t be a bad thing. I guess. Things that make people feel good are important in a world of bad news. For that reason alone I can understand why it’s a good thing. And with the bad news that’s been around this past weekend, some good news is welcome.
But that’s not something I particularly understand either – I don’t feel closer to anyone or more proud to be Australian etc because someone won the most gruelling bike race in the world.
Anyway. I like to think I have a pretty good handle on popular opinion – not that I necessarily fall in line with it but I usually understand how it works. Not today though.
Two more things.
To those who are accusing me of being a killjoy, I would not have written this post of my own volition. I didn’t feel so strongly about it that I would have written it unprompted. It happened to be my Today Show day and I was asked my opinion and gave it.
Also, Cadel and other sports people are inspirational, strong, yep. We can celebrate them and should celebrate them – just like I celebrated when my cousin won an Oscar a few months ago. But I didn’t call him a hero.
If you strongly disagree with me, I would genuinely love to understand how sporting success makes you feel. Please don’t abuse me for not understanding it, I’ve had enough of that today. Still, I always have my mind open and am ready to learn about other opinions, this morning I was just expressing my own.
For a different view, check out Anthony Sharwood’s piece at The Punch here: http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/thank-you-cadel-youve-done-us-all-proud/
UPDATE: It’s 24 hours after I posted this and the reaction continues to astonish me. I had no idea that questioning the worship of a sports star could unleash such extraordinary vitriol. To those who have disagreed with me in a calm, civil way, I want to thank you. I have read much (not all) of the response. The Mamamia team have protected me from some of the most offensive abuse by deleting those posts so if you’re planning to leave that kind of comment below, save your breath because I won’t see it.
What I’ve learned from many of the responses is that ‘hero’ can be a subjective term. It may mean something different to you than it does to me. For many, it means role model, someone to look up to. Fair enough. I’m not telling you what to think or who to look up to.
My point was actually meant to be less about the word ‘hero’ than the disproportionate amount of media coverage and public adulation given to sports heroes as opposed to people who achieve equally amazing things in other non-sporting fields.
Comments on this post are now closed.
1,518 Comments so far
Mia, Cadel’s achievement is not just about one man, it is also about team work. Mateshi, working for a goal. cyclist’s everyday put their lives in the hands of motorists to be healthy fit, environmentaly friendly.
Your response is he is not a hero, he doesn’t even live in Aus and he is not a hero.
If your job took you to London, would you be English or Australian?
If Cadels winning the TdF encourages just one person to get on a bike and get healthy….is that a good thing? YES IT IS.
Your argument, which does have some valid points, is missing the point.
Iam sad that you are ignorant of the sport, of the man and his acheivement.
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Whilst I have almost killed myself staying up until the wee hours to watch Le Tour, as I do every year, I completely agree with you on the use of the word Hero. His win was fantastic, the effort has to be applauded but a sportsman is not a hero.
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good on you! i am sick of people making out these sport players something SPECIAL! Because they are not. Who cares Tts about time someone said it. and as for a public holiday GET A LIFE. there are more important things in life then sport. GO MIA daniel
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Mia,
Whilst I do have sympathy for you regarding some of the comments you have received, I can not help but feel that some of these comments are merely a reflection of your own bigoted attitude towards sports, sportspeople and sporting achievements. Despite what you may say, it is clear to the majority that your objective is not to understand why sportspeople are sometimes considered hero’s, or even why they are elevated to heights above others who are equally worthy. Your objective is to define sports as a field of expertise within which a hero can not be born. Your prejudice is there for all to see in your overly simple definition of sportspeople as those, “who spend their lives honing their physical skills with vast support from sponsors and teams of support people”…… Do you honestly not see how someone who has invested hours of hard work, mental and physical, often unpaid, often unsupported, in to a sport to be the best they can be, to help others find the best in them and for the enjoyment of a community and/or nation, would not find your condescending take on what they do offensive? If not, then you really don’t have the open mind you claim to.
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As someone else who does not “get it”
- it did not help my enjoyment as part of the community and/or nation nor did it help me to find the best in myself
Surely sportsmen do “it” becuase they love it/get something out of it? Or are we saying that sportsmen do “it” for others? Like another type of hero
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I notice that women do not get called heroines when they achieve at sport. Think of the female swimmers Australia has produced, are they considered heroines? ‘Madame Butterfly’ Yes. Heroine. No.
Methinks this is testosterone speaking.
We need more rituals for the guys to be guys. They need obstacles to overcome, and ways to reinforce their …for want of a better way to put it…gendered identity.
Funny how (balanced?) females like the guys with balanced genders though…you know Johnny Depp, Fitzy…
Sorry to hear of your travails. You may well be a heroine!
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Do you think Cadel Evans isn’t using or going to use his notoriety for all those lovely things you claim a hero must do?
He’s an advocate for brain injury and disability. He’s an advocate for safety on Australian roads. He now has a hell of a lot more clout than you or I will ever have in which to propel these (and many other) issues into the limelight and make people listen. He’s already doing it, he’s bound to continue.
Get you’re head out of your butt Mia; it’s no surprrise you can’t see anything but excrement in a situation like this, given where your head is positioned.
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Oh, boy ! Some of these comments are completely over the top.
Interesting to note that quite a number of fairly tame comments not supporting Mia’s stance on the Today program are being removed with great alacrity, yet quite a number of rather vitriolic comments made against the naysayers are left up for the enjoyment of the fans. Balance ?
Interesting ? Yes. Extremely interesting.
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If you see something you think we’ve missed, hit moderate button. There are 1200+ comments and it’s a big job. Abuse on any side isn’t on.
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So long as no one name calls or personally attacks comments that dont agree should stay…
I doubt they would though, the problem with media in this country they only let you see what they want you to see.
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Well, you can see the disagreement in the 1200 comments on this post. It’s a bit hard to cover that up.
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I think the comments have been quite balanced, many understand and somewhat agree with Mia’s comments but also feel she handled her expression of these in an unprofessional and disrespectful way… Or maybe thats just me.
Either way, Mia has managed to stir up allot of attention for herself, Id be interested to know a few things,
Number of followers on twitter yesterday vs today,
Number of site vists yesterday vs today
Number of site subscriptions yesterday vs today.
Not bad for a few minutes air time…
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We use the same comment guidelines for all comments. And we state those rules pretty clearly ….
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I don’t agree with your comment, but respect you right to do so but I remember my late Mothers mantra “If you havent got anything nice to say about someone don’t say anything” you could learn from this, I ask you, If this was aboriginal Australian would you have said anything? What was your comment after Kathy Freeman won Gold????
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Andrew, I believe that you have made a very interesting and thought provoking point with your comment.
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and my father always says “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it” echoing the great Voltaire, don’t try to silence people especially with underhanded “you wouldn’t say that if he was black” speciousness
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No, you are right. The real heroes are the ones you mention. This was just a sporting event won by an Aussie who happened to be better than the others on the day/s when he rode a bike! You know bikes? Theyr’e the few that our illustrious mayor and former Premier ripped up good road for, when the sane thing would have been to replace the road with trams. Give me a 100m dash that takes around ten seconds rather than tie up both SBS TV stations for what seems weeks! By the way, my wife and I both ride bikes where they should be ridden…on bush firetrails! As for those that cruelly taunted you ..they have small minds and small cold hearts!
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Hi Mia. About your comments on Cadel today. That was so painful to watch. I feel sorry for you that you didn’t have the foresight to know what you were about to say would be not only hurtful to a majority of Australians, but also to Cadel himself and the billions, Yes BILLIONS of people who have been inspired by him and other sporting heros around the world to go out and achieve something they thought was impossible. Sport brings people together, provides inspiration and has does more good for the world than even politics itself. Please do your research next time. If you get a chance, Please watch the documentary: ESPN 30 for 30: The 16th Man. It is about how Nelson Mandela and the Springbok Rugby team helped bring an end to apartheid in South Africa. If you still have the same view about sport after watching that I will be shocked. Please think before you speak.
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Was Nelson Mandela playing sport with the Springbok team? Actually wasn’t he a bit too busy to play sport? But imagine if he hadn’t bothered about politics – with his endurance he too could probably have won the Tour De France. Yep – I too just don’t get it
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Don’t worry Mia, I get exactly where you’re coming from. My mum always stated that it was ridiculous how much emphasis is placed on sporting achievements – especially throughout my schooling. Her main point was that academic achievements, as well as other achievements, are just as important as sporting ones. But the sports trophies are the ones that the school hangs on the wall.
Good on Cadel, big achievement. But to be honest, I have turned off the TV every time a report about him has come on. Couldn’t really care.
That’s just me.
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Arrh, Mia, Mia, Mia, you really don’t get it do you. Well Use all your skills and media power to laud and applaud all the Australian Scientists and Docters, e.g. Dr Ryan Lister, Dr Fiona Wood, Dr Fiona Stanley and many many more. You can help exault them to hero status you know. But you see most ordinary Australians cannot really relate those Phd laden people in any way, to themselves, they relate to Aussie battler kids that struggle for years to achieve the dream, that all those ordinary Australian’s secrectly had, and never quite achieved. They can relate to an ordinary Aussie battler, not to extremely well educated professionals, the likes of whom they can never emulate. But, are the people they all very much admire and respect and are grateful to for achieving medical breadkthroughs etc. They are worshipped from afar, people like Cadel they can be greeted with a “how you going mate, great job”. Do you see what I mean. Good on you for giving your opinion though and taking the backlash, for, isn’t that what the Aussie battler does anyway?
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I don’t think Cadel’s achievement is more relateable than Dr Wood’s. He’s not ‘an ordinary Aussie battler’ any more than she is – they’ve both done extraordinary (but different) things.
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You pose an interesting argument Mia, and as someone who is sports mad and gets caught up in it I know it’s good for someone like me to read a differing opinion. I feel so bad that people have been so horrible for you for expressing your opinion – something you were asked to do. Another side of this argument is that sports people are placed on a pedestal in this country and when they fall from grace, they fall even further than anyone else. I’m not excusing them, but it’s just a thought. We celebrate our heroes, but the same people will kick them when they’re down. Don’t let the haters get you down.
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I don’t generally like your columns but am very much inclined to agree with you in this instance. Not to detract from Mr Evan’s – what he did in the Tour was an inspiring feat of athleticism.
However, the fawning and adulation to highly paid sports people and vacuous celebrity – for mine -demonstrates a society with its values squarely in its fundament.
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I totally agree,
what Cadel has achieved is great, and well deserved; he is a role model.
Too me a hero is someone who has risked something, faced major adversity and come through it for the good of others and the country.
Sporting people are role models, not heros…. they do not put their lives on the line, go above and beyond the call of duty or do things that place them at major risk or death to help other human beings.
Aid workers, and volunteers now they are heros
they have faced serious adversity and continued on to assist the greater good.
I volunteered with red cross in qld flooding, victorian flooding and post cyclone yasi, many of the people I met, they to me are true heros.
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I was about to tweet you in support, but then suddenly decided to check the definition of hero.
My definition (Mac Dictionary) included ‘admired or idealized for outstanding achievements’ (or noble qualities or courage). SO, given that Cadel has trained for years and years and finally won a prestigious race, I am reluctantly ceding that technically he can be called a hero. He is a role model for persistence at the least.
However, I totally understand where you are coming from Mia, and agree with your ideas about some actions making people much more of a hero (eg. fred hollows, etc) than someone who rides a bike. Cadel used his natural talent and a LOT of hard work to win a race, but others give selflessly/risk their lives for something, and I can see the need to distinguish between the two types of hero.
Also, I think anyone who attacked for you for stating an opinion is a complete idiot, and I really hope you don’t waste your tears on them because clearly they are not at your level of intelligence. If they disagreed politely, fair enough, but personal attacks are just bullying and should be ignored.
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I don’t know Cadel personally – but I have been a fan for years and feel like I know him. And he would be mortified by the vitriol here.
I am on one hand so excited to see the way he has captured the imagination of such a wide range of people … but at the same time, mortified at how some people have chosen to express themselves by attacking the person rather than the opinion.
C’mon Australia, you’re better than that.
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Having not read any of the previous comments (all 1,140 of them), I would just like to say that I wholeheartedly agree with Mia!
Not only that, but so does my sports-mad husband!
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I watched you this morning Mia and I agree with you. To me heros are the people serving overseas for their country, people who do good for the community. Sure he is an elite athelete and being paid very well for it. Keep up the good work, your views are very refreshing and you voice an opinion that many many agree with but are not able to express like you
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Awww Mia …. what a sad day for you when you are demoralised for your opinion! I completely agree with you … he’s not a superhero – he’s a very good sportperson…. End of story!!!!
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This is an argument on the content, and I’m not attacking anyone here, this is from previous things I have read.
“To me, heroes are people who help other people or who somehow work selflessly to benefit others…”
So the team mates of Cadel can be considered heroes in context to this argument because they selflessly expend their efforts to get Cadel the best position.
I agree with sportspeople not being heroic and it is thrown around frivolously. However, as an individual (not a sportsperson) Cadel is a hero as he does not represent popular Australian culture (unlike AFL and NFL). Other sports promote destructive behavior and negative gender stereotypes but Cadel challenges this by showing emotion and being true to himself.
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I actually I totally get where you are coming from Mia. But I do think it’s awesome that Cadel won. And I don’t think people should be attacking you the way they have just because you have an opinion on something, it’s disgusting the things that have been said and totally uncalled for. You don’t need to call people names or put them down like that just because you don’t agree with them!
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Hi Mia, I’m with you. Until two days ago I didn’t even know Cadel was Australian. I might have paid a bit more attention if I’d known, and thought “Go Cadel – beat everyone else”. But a Public holiday? Get real! I agree he is a super athlete and it takes a lot of dedication to achieve his result, which from the stories I’ve heard today is also the result of good genes so perhaps for him it also has a lot to do with what he was born with. I am tired of the idolisation of sports people and movie stars, the way they are courted for favour and opinion like what they have to say is far more important and knowledgeable just because they can run or swim or whatever. I’d rather laud Dr Charlie Theo and the work he does, now there’s a HERO, – someone put him on a dias and parade him through Paris!
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Mia, whilst there is no right or wrong on this issue, I completely disagree with you. Yes Cadel Evans is a hero, as are many of our doctors, lawers, football players, politicians, milk bar owners and cleaners. Each and every individual has a right to have a hero, whether that be sporting, medicinal or political, because each and every individual is unique. Each and every individual on Earth aspires to be something, somebody and has their own individual in their own eyes. So yes, as a young Australian Cadel Evans is my hero, I admire his tenacity, courage and physical and mental strength. At a time when our nation is facing obesity at an epidemic stage, if Cadel can inspire young people to live a healthy and happy life, then he is a hero in my eyes. I understand that he may not be a hero in your eyes Mia, but please just acknowledge the determination and strength of this man, just like all our other heroes.
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Very well said – even though I don’t entirely agree with you
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I work in refugee and asylum seeker advocacy. I make speeches, write articles, contribute to blogs and opinion columns. If I’d been fazed by abuse, I’d have given up years ago. It’s constant, it’s vitriolic, it’s vile, and it’s mindless. And that’s only the abuse that I get as an advocate. You should see what they call the refugees themselves.
If you want to be in public life, Mia, toughen up.
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Apologising for actual abuse – not simple disagreement – is no solution either. Accepting that people will be vitriolic doesn’t make it OK. It’s folly not to stand up for civil discourse.
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So you think that because Mia refused to join in the singing of the national anthem for the winning of a, albeit prestigious, bike race, that takes away her right to claim her Australian-ness? I would have done the same thing. Does that make me un-Australian?
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“the simple winning of a bike race” … are you serious?
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You’re right anon, it is no simple feat at all. Wrong choice of words.
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Mia, I don’t entirely disagree with your view, but you came across as a nark! You missed the sense of occasion that people were enjoying.
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i feel very sorry for you for all the bashing you have recieved and of course many people will not be caught up in the hype. i was very very caught up an my voicebox is still struggling from yelling at the TV on saturday night during the time trial when he took the lead. one point i would like to make is that in being such a successful sports person, Cadel, who is already a big charity giver, can now lend support to more charities for things such as nursing and the mob will sway to his words on any issue because people love him. there is one positive thing which could maybe make him potentially a hero in you eyes.
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Finally, someone who has the courage to say what many people feel. Sports people are not heroes or legends. i always thought you had to be dead before you became a legend.
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Mia, Rick, Lana, Nicky and team…. I hope you have reached the point of the day where the vitriol and flawed logic of angry comments have become amusing!!!
Something I have realised today with all this ridiculousness is sport really is religion in Australia. Good lord
Hugs to you all.
Thank you for bringing fantastic articles and issues to us day in day out.
Tomorrow is a brand new day
KKxx
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Thank you KK – xxxx
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Thank you!
xx
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Thanks KK, it sure has been an interesting day!
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Hands up who went home on time at MM today? Haha today is definately not a good day for work live balance you poor things. Home at 5pm tomorrow maybe!
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Home is where the heart is – I am on Mamamia tonight xx
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I completely understand where you’re coming from Mia. But like you said, I think you’ve misjudged your audience.
The definition of ‘hero’ is different for everyone. You mention that you wouldn’t call your cousin a hero for winning an Oscar, however I know some film students back home who would. Its subjective.
Seeing an Australian doing something great on a world stage can be inspiring. Yes we should be celebrating ALL achievement and the media coverage is dispproportionate. But that doesn’t mean we should stop covering sporting achievement altogether.
Also, it was a pretty special event – the FIRST Australian to win it. That does give a bit of a pioneering-feel to the moment. I’m not a sports fan but even I enjoyed the significance of that (I’ll also admit that I got very excited seeing hometown boy Mark Renshaw at the front of the pack as well).
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Who called Cadel a hero….you! Do note your opinion, however, cycling is a great tough grueling sport. How would you like to ride a bike for 3 weeks, cover 3,500 km I’m sure your wouldn’t. Obviously you are in agreement with the tall poppy syndrome and knock people down who achieve. Cadel worked tirelessly for 9 years to achieve this goal, rode with a broken elbow last year. He is determined, tough, humble and Australian. We should all be proud of him and his is an excellent role model to kids and everyone else on how with perserverence and determination you can achieve.
No name calling, just extremely disappointed in someone whose opinion I once RESPECTED, but NO MORE. GOODBYE
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Whilst i agree with you that the idea of calling everyone a hero is wrong i have to disagree with your beliefs. I think its fantastic to see some good news on the front page rather than the stuff we have to deal with everyday. Furthermore i think you probably should have looked a bit more into the situation before speaking. Cadel is a strong campaigner for human rights especially the Tibetan people and for the climate. Further he does live in Australia he owns a property in Victoria in the off season. I believe people. I ask you what you would rather read, Cadel evans triumph or a slinging match on carbon tax?
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Let me see. Cadel Evans or carbon tax ? Hands down, Cadel Evans !
After the weekend that the world has had, a bit of good news is manna from heaven. More good news, please !
How about a good news week on Mamamia ? Only good news, no opinion pieces that cause offence to anyone for any reason. Go for it, guys !
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Firstly – congratulations to Cadel for amazing effort and obvious dedication. These qualities should be admired. Secondly, I’m with you Mia. Any successful person, whether sportsperson or otherwise, could be considered a rolemodel. But “hero” should be reserved for truly special people who make sacrifices for others.
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I completely agree with you Mia. THANK YOU for voicing the minority (?) opinion.
I have never really been into sports. I watch most of the Australian Open each year but that is it. Until this morning I never knew who Cadel was… I saw his name all over twitter but wasn’t interested enough to delve any further than knowing that he seemed to be winning something.
I think that a LOT of Australians are like me… and I honestly think that we’re in the majority. It’s just the media, and loud, ignorant, rude types that make it seem otherwise.
I can understand that other people disagree with your views Mia, but I simply CANNOT condone such an awful, vulgar response, no matter how passionate people are about it. IT’S JUST SPORT. It’s not brain surgery or rescue work or fire fighting. IT’S A GAME. He won. Great for him! And great that he’s Australian. But his win is certainly no reflection of me, or my country. He worked hard to achieve his goals, and I am happy that he did. I am inspired. But all this heroism talk is way over-blown and, frankly, nonsensical.
Anyway, thank you again, Mia. Please don’t take these people’s words to heart. And no more tears for these idiots.
Oh, and is it just me, or is “unAustralian” anyone else’s least favourite word? Awful!
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It’s not just you. I can’t stand the word unAustralian. It’s employed for all kinds of silliness. I’ve been following the use of the term – here’s a couple of articles for you …
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/playing-the-patriot-game-thats-so-unaustralian-20110415-1dgdh.html
http://www.news.com.au/opinion/by-jingo-using-this-lingos-unaustralian/story-e6frfs99-1226038084534
and of course
http://www.mamamia.com.au/news/whats-un-australian/
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I wonder if Clover Moore, will give him the keys to the city of Sydney…….
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Why not?
She made GAGA an honorary citizen because of her support to the Gay and Lesbian community, why not make Cadel an honorary citizen for his support of cycling?
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Oh Mia, just when you nearly had me won over as a ‘mama mia’ fan. I do kind of agree with you but Cadel has been working at this gig for a long time and 3 weeks on those hills is an achievement. Maybe it’s because I am huge advocate of pedal power that I think he is a bit of a legend. In general we admire our sports people more than our opera singers, artists, writers etc but I think this time we need to feel inspired by this man.
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Just a reminder –
Imagine this is a dinner party. Differences of opinion are welcome but keep it respectful or the host will show you the door. If you’re rude or abusive, your comment will be deleted (so will comments responding to other rude comments because they won’t make sense – so save your breath). And if you’re offensive, you’ll be banned. Remember what Fonzie was like? Cool. That’s how we’re going to be – cool. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation…
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I think Mia you are taking the brunt of all this when infact you were only answering a question as honestly as you could.
Mia didn’t actually ask the question- it was Carl Stefanovic that asked Mia the question. His journalistic ability is questionable at the best of times. He did the same thing to Germaine Greer a few days after Steve Irwin died. He set her up with a question he already knew the answer to. The point is, who cares what Germaine Greer thinks of Steve Irwin- except Stefanovic knew he could illicit a controversial response and then it blew up into another storm in tea cup. He did the same thing to Mia today. This doesn’t make Mia look bad. It reinforces Carl Stefanovics lack of talent for his job- he should leave it to Peter who is great at it.
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Hi Mia
You are absolutely correct that the balance is tilted towards our sporting heroes and not the Victor Changs of our world, having said that I have tried to watch every pedal stroke of Cadel this year and many before , I have cried with adoration as Mark Renshaw, another Aussie has gotten his lead rider over for a stage win and searched the pelaton for our wonderful Stuie OGrady! Cadel has achieved the pinnacle of his chosen sport and I guess as Aussies we identify with that and love to celebrate it! Most people wouldn’t even know that the TDF was on until this weekend! The nonsense And hurtful remarks that people have thrown at you today when you are only offering your opinion is unacceptable from the same Aussies that cheered Cadel over the line with tears in their eyes. Cheer up Aussie x
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No, I can’t see the fuss either. Why does expressing an opinion give anyone the right to resort to name calling? It doesn’t and it shouldn’t.
I do have to confess though that I am in Mia’s camp and until yesterday if anyone had said Cadel Evans I would have said who? But then, I’m like that with most ‘celebrity’, sport or otherwise.
Congratulations to Cadel to be rewarded in such a way for his hard work.
On a lighter note, I’m just waiting for the Aussies to win the FIFA world cup. And I think if anyone has a chance, I’m sorry but it’s the ladies. You know, the ones who don’t get the media attention and hero worship?
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Note: Everyone who’s saying “You’re not a hero, what have you done”… THAT’S NOT THE POINT! Neither is the fact that Cadel has contributed to philanthropy and research and all that. The facet being celebrated so blatantly in the media is that he’s a great cyclist, and has won the TdF.
Seriously, answer the topic at hand, and stop with the personal attacks already, will you?
The point is, should sporting heroes be given such accolades (while others, arguably who do “better” things, aren’t), and on a wider scale, should it be FRONT PAGE NEWS, compared to other, more serious news we’re hearing from around the world?
Answer that. Mia certainly did. And I for one agree with her.
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Its better front page news then lots of the other crap they chuck on there these days.
I think the media in this country is to blame for being the cause of soo many problems, for example what chance is there of having a good and proper debate on the Carbon tax and educate people about the pros and cons properly when you have media outlets saying whatever they need to and only reporting some facts in order to sell more papers get more vewiers.
I get the point that Sports people are held in too high esteem by many aussies and that other every day heros saving lives in hospitals etc do not get such recognition, the problem in my opinion is the media blows everything out of proportion to get a reaction and more people interested.
For example this whole debate was started by MIA’s reaction on TV this morning, she is not new to the media game and I bet she knew the kind of reaction she would get, I wonder how many extra hits her website got today and how many extra people followed her on twitter today..? No accident, Media in Aus is all about making money and reporting facts went out long ago….
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I read Mia’s post and all the comments here before I watched the video of Karl and Mia’s segment. I am just stunned at the amount of negative and vitriolic comment that this innocuous conversation has attracted. Come on people – it was a mildly humorous, light-weight piece of everyday ‘entertainment’. Imagine if all that passion and energy you’re chewing up could be channelled into something positive. Might I dare (for fear of being abused) suggest that if we could all generate and redirect the amount of energy it takes to be so angry, and aim it at something like minimising or eradicating world hunger, then we could ALL be ‘heroes’. And guess what – you could still love and admire people like Cadel Evans.
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We stick to civility here Brenden. You can disagree as much as you wish, but if you resort to name-calling like it’s primary school you’ll be shown the door. Our comments policy is pretty clear.
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well said rick!
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Who is Brenden ? If his comment has been removed, surely the follow up comments should have been removed as well ?
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Hi Mia,
I think it is terrible that you have experienced such an outburst. I also agree with you in that all too often sports personalities are paraded as heroes, when really there is little about their lives that really are heroic.
Cadel Evans is different. He has overcome a life threatening incident as a child when a horse kicked him in the head, to rise to his most amazing achievement in the world of cycling, something I am sure those doctors who told his mother that he may have permanent paralysis down one side of his body, could have ever imagined in thier wildest dreams!
Aside from this, he has aslo quietly supported many people facing huge obstacles themselves. He has acutioned and donated many pieces of memorablia worth thousands of dollars to help those in need, from individuals with tough medical conditions, to struggling schools in Tibet, and the Amy Gillet Foundation. Everything I have read or any interview I have seen or heard from him indicates to me that he is aslo a person with great personal integrity.This for me along side his great determination to go out and do his best everytime he rides his bike is inspiring to me, and makes him worthy in my eyes to be called a hero.
I think it unfortunate that you choose today to stand up for your oppinions on the over use of the word hero in the sporting media, as today, we really do have in Cadel Evans, a man who is worthy of the title “hero”.
I am very sorry that you experienced such a reaction from the public. Those sort of reactions are to me un-Australian, as we do live in a so-called democracy, and we are all allowed to have our own oppinion and express them.
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This is for all of those highly indignant Mia defenders who appear to be simpletons and hipocrits.
You can’t defend Mia’s right to express her opinion on a matter, and then slag mercilessly those who dare to express an opinion about what she said. She made her opinion known in the most public way, of course it will attract opposite and supporting views.
You are guilty of being exactly what you seek to criticise with such vitriole.
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Sometimes it’s not the message, it’s the way it’s delivered.
‘Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy’. Some of the Mia-critics have been a little spiteful, to put it mildly.
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“Sometimes it’s not the message, it’s the way it’s delivered.”
Spot on. Mia’s poor delivery this morning is what started all of this.
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I completely agree with you and I’m personally astounded by the responses you’ve received. It’s a testament to the intelligence of those people, really. Shame you’ve had to suffer through it, but I’m sure it’s reinforced a valuable lesson. Don’t say even the slightest bad thing about a sportsperson on Australian television. Even I don’t voice such an opinion to my friends, since I know they’ll strongly object and it’s not worth arguing.
To all the haters: Aren’t people allowed to have their own opinions?
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I have asked myself that very question every time I’m abused on Twitter by MM fans when I stand by comments that I make.
You put yourself out there…
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You’re on Twitter?
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No way, Jose ! Some of the readers email me on the odd occasion to let me know when I’m copping it.
If I’m being abused via Twitter, some other poor bugger is being left alone.
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“Hero” is really overused and trivialised term these days.
Cadel’s achievement is fantastic, really I can’t think of a greater win by an Australian athlete. It’s not only to win the Tour this year – 3 weeks of super human exertion plus strategic thinking, but all the years before when he’s had to battle through euro team politics and injury to get to this point. Compared to mainstream Australian sports he’s had little encouragement so it’s an incredible personal effort, and amazing focus on his goal.
All of which makes him the athlete I most admire, and an inspiration, but maybe not a hero in the sense of selfless sacrifice to help others. But there aren’t many of those people around, and Cadel is a better role model that most footy players. So what have we got to lose by calling him be a hero for a few days?
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WOOPS, sorry Anon – that was for a reply to another post. haha bet you have no idea what I’m talking about lol!
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That’s a very non dinner partyish thing to say.
Just because I watch commercial tv and I have an education, it immediately means that I’m killing brain cells by not doing watching TV you approve of Arrow?
Sorry, I forgot that I’m supposed to like to watch ABC and SBS because of my university degrees. WOOPS. Just to make you judge me even more, I love watching the kardashians too!
You had better immediately apply to the law society and to my university and take away my practising certificate and both degrees because I like commercial TV.
Oh also, do you think I should put it as a term in my client retainer? “I watch like to commercial TV so I’m obviously stupid and you will probably lose with me as your legal representative”, one sec, just off to tell my boss to add that clause to our retainers and to tell our insurers too!
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I married into a family that contains a sporting hero. ( in the 80′s- but people still seek him out for a autograph or speak in reverant tones when they hear my sir name). He personally doesn’t court fame but he is gracious and he did stand for qualities such as sportsman ship loyalty to his home town and was known as a gentleman I. His field.
Even 25 years on he still inspires people and meeting him makes them happy.
I think he is a bit of a hero and I had never heard of him before I met my husband.
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