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
Couple of points
1) Check out the list of Australians of the Year for the past 10 years – half have been doctors/scientists and two were sports people – perhaps one indication that our society DOES value the work of professions apart from sport.
2) Interesting to note that in writing about Jessica Watson, Mia said ‘Now that she has returned a HERO (as she should, her achievement is astonishing) it’s easy to say it was a wonderful thing for her to have done.’ So why does Jessica Watson deserve ‘hero’ status when, according to Mia’s definition ‘heroes are people who help other people or who somehow work selflessly to benefit others’?
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wow.. the first intelligent comment of Cadel’s win.
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Can o worms dot com!!! My 20c… (as if I can limit myself to 2…)
I worked at the Australian War Memorial for many years, and there met and heard the stories of many heroes – men and women who gave selflessly, acted bravely, without thought for themselves and often lost their lives as a result. Yes, we should rightly honour these people as heroes.
I was also once lucky enough to spend nearly five years of my life as the partner to a fabulous guy who was in the military.
He served in East Timor, Iraq, on Christmas Island, and finally providing aid to the Tsunami victims. He died doing his job, in a terrible accident, triggering the label “hero” from many quarters (a label he would have hated, oh the embarrassment..).
He was also a mad keen cyclist. And Cadel would have been one of his heroes.
He would have thought that because cycling is a harsh, hard sport. One where your team can help you, but ultimately you have to grit your teeth and drag yourself up that hill. You don’t do it because you get paid a lot (and yes, many do). You do it because you are passionate in your will to succeed, to the point where even though your body is screaming and your lungs quit working properly several kilometres ago, and you have a very real risk of dying while hurtling down a mountain or just on a simple practice ride, you just keep going.
Cyclists truly suffer for their sport, for their living. My partner admired that, and admired the supreme effort to not just do that for a living, but to dedicate yourself to the point where you can beat all others at probably the hardest major sport event in the world.
Having said all that, I agree with Mia. When talking about sporting greats we toss around the word hero a little too easily, and I’m not comfortable with that.
I think perhaps where the vitriol is coming from is because while Mia had a very valid point (while they’re heroes to some people, sporting people aren’t heroes in the true sense of the word throughout history), she didn’t seem enthusiastic enough about Cadel’s win. She seemed a bit ho-hum about it.
I think Mia’s getting attacked people she isn’t excited ENOUGH about Cadel’s win. The hero thing is just opening a door to the attacks.
Bottom line: I don’t care if she’d openly said she didn’t care that Cadel won. No one should be called those names. And my cycling-mad-to-the-point-of-obession partner would have agreed.
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the swiftness of the deletion of negative comments is making defending Mia difficult to say the least
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I know. I just tried to defend her & now have my comment floating out in the never never!
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Sorry Alex our comment guidelines are stated very clearly on the site and if people are abusive or contravene our dinner party guidelines we will delete the comments
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Mia, well done for defending what you believe in. I am happy that Cadel won, but let’s put it in perspective. What ever happened to the saying ” I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it” Good for you.
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Your point is very valid Mia, but you didn’t pick one of the myriad of football players, cricketers etc who are over-represented in the media on a daily basis. You chose a man who rode over 3000kms in less than 3 weeks, a remarkable achievement by any standard.
Sport does dominate the media (especially in this country) no argument there but your opinion came across in such a bitter fashion that i think most missed your point.
Sport can also break down barriers, bring people together and in its most pure form can challenge ideology; Jesse Owens in Berlin springs to mind amongst many others.
Anyway, just my opinion, thank you for yours.
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I agree with you Mia, and I feel so sorry for you about the abuse you’ve received. The term “hero” does not refer to Cadel, but rather role model or even inspirational. I’ve often thought Karl was an over opinionated twat, but never disliked him as intensely as I did watching that segment today.
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As with all such things, I think the truth lies somewhere in between “he is a hero that needs to be worshipped” and “he is just good at physical things for his own benefit”.
Watch to replays of stages 18, 19 and 20 and while doing so think in terms of
Homeric Heroes. This is not just men cycling up a hill, but this is Achilles, Ajax and Hector battling. These are the best of the best, each awesome yet flawed in their own way, pitting themselves against the elements and each other to the utmost of their strength and will to either triumph or fall to glorious defeat.
While there are probably real heroes fighting real wars at the moment, such things don’t make for good entertainment. Short of watching watching roman gladiators, most humans want a more sanitised version of combat: So we huddled around the camp fire and listened to beowolfe; we read the Iliad; we watch sport.
Saying to the public that Cadel is just being physically good for his own benefit is like telling a Greek scholar that Achilles is just some violent backwoods thug for hire (which he probably was… but that is not the point!)
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I dont think any athlete should be named a hero for playing the sport they love. I watch sport . I love playing sport and I admire athletes who excel in thier chosen sports.Hero is a word that to me signifies bravery and which I feel should be reserved for those who put thier life on the line for others – just my opinion – When it comes to Cadel though wow what an amazing feat and an amazing character certainly someone I would want my boys to look up to and I think he deserves all the adulation
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I am disgusted that you’ve received so much backlash for what you’ve said. People should be ashamed.
I wouldn’t call athletes heroes, no way. When I heard Cadel had won, I said ‘oh that’s wonderful’ and went about my day. I understand that people find these sorts of achievements inspirational, and for that I get why Australian athletes are looked up to so much – they push themselves to their limits (and beyond) and inspire people to push to achieve better things.
I guess it’s the immediacy of it – you can watch a race and celebrate someone winning more easily than seeing someone save a life.
But, as you’ve said, Mia, to look up to people and celebrate their achievements is very different to labelling them a ‘hero’. I agree that’s too far.
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I don’t for a second condone the abuse or violent reaction that Mia’s comments received this morning (and still from the sounds of things), it is at the end of the day her opinion, and rightly or wrongly she gets paid to provide it.
I do in this instance think that the reaction has come from a couple of basic issues that Mia has severely overlooked, and the fact that in making her comments she severely missed the point and made them without an educated viewpoint.
Firstly she heavily underestimated the value that Australians put on their successful athletes as role models, and the weight that they hold in our history as far as national identity is concerned.
We are a proud nation, a nation that constantly strives to show the world what we can achieve despite our relatively short history, and small population. We are forever celebrating our ability to “punch above our weight” on the world stage. Cadel’s achievement’s in the past 3 weeks is nothing short of inspirational to Australians because it is a shining example of one of our own beating the world – on the world stage.
We without doubt achieve these results on an academic stage as well, and our professionals are as highly regarded worldwide as our sports starts are – BUT – They are regarded as highly WITHIN their profession….and therein lies the difference.
Rightly or wrongly, sport and its stars are headline makers across the world…if you make it as a sports star, instantaneous notoriety almost certainly ensues, and with that comes the pressure of society now viewing you as someone more important than the average member of that society….including doctors, nurses, teachers or politicians. Now who is to blame for that – Australians? I would suggest that the people that put food on her table and pay her bills make sure that all we read about in the paper and hear about on the Networks are sports stars and celebrities….of which SHE is a major contributor.
If you are a star in the medical profession, you will gain notoriety in the medical industry….but will the paper or networks make it front page news? You bet your $2000 Chloe bag they won’t!
The reasons that the general population have reacted so venomously to Mia’s comments is due to the disregard in which she showed Cadel’s achievement. The basis of her argument is fair and warranted – but it is not one that is shared by the majority of Australians because it’s not what we relate to, and not what we have been taught to celebrate. We relate to our sports stars because sports are a huge part of our culture.
It is not just another bike race, and he is not just a bloke who rides a bike in the eyes of our nation, and now the world. Sure to Mia, he may be – but to me a shiny dress made by some bloke in Italy that Paris Hilton wears may as well be bought in Target for $60……I don’t understand the fuss, and when the paper has a section specifically focussed towards what celebrities are wearing and how they rate – I don’t get it…..but I don’t pretend to be completely educated on why this is an issue that is newsworthy…..
Mia’s comments and arguments were misinformed, uneducated and off the mark. Does this mean she should receive tirades of abuse and personal attacks – not at all….but she DOES get paid to publish and voice her opinion….so she should at the very least have an idea about what she is being paid to comment on…..if not then understand that what you are saying you are purely saying to get a reaction….and in this instance, that is certainly what she has gotten….so there needs to be an element of suck it up princess about it. If you make your comments with a grain of salt, then take the reactions in the same way.
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I am lost for words other than I agree with you completely on all of it. Chin up and keep tweeting!
I can’t believe people would abuse you in such a way…. so sorry to hear it.
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I must admit that I disagree with many sports people being classified as heroes but having seen the adversity through which Cadel’s victory has emerged from, and knowing firsthand how tough the sport of road cycling is, I certainly classify Cadel as a hero of mine.
This argument is the same used to play down artistic or creative endeavours as being less than those of scientists and doctors. It is through witnessing the courage of people like Cadel that the world’s “would-be-scientists” keep slogging away at their study and research in the dark hours of the night.
We don’t live for scientific or medical breakthroughs, we strive for them so that humans can live and grow. What is more important – the doctor who saves a few lives or the writer/singer/sportsperson who inspires millions to keep on going even when the circumstances become difficult and the future looks bleak. Chapeau Cadel!
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I agree with you Mia , I dont get the worship of sports people and the millions of dollars they get paid. Its there choice to go down that path , its not like they putting there lives on the line to save others, which should be the proper defination of a hero.Also it makes me cringe when they call footy players warriors, ppft what a joke.Good luck to Cadel but those bikes on the road just piss me off
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Sorry Mia, the only ones clever enough to understand your point are on the abc, I think you’re right
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What a snobbish remark! Judging people’s intelligence based on what they choose to view on TV…. wow.
I am an avid ABC viewer and yet I disagree with Mia’s comments. Did you consider that your comment may be just as insulting as the very rude remarks directed at Mia for expressing her views?
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my comments are not even on the scale of vitriol that mia has received, my comment was that the abc is pluralist and diverse enough to realize that different perspectives are present in the world and not viciously tried to destroy them when presented
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Alex, I’m a lawyer, and I avoid the ABC or the SBS like the plague, it’s boring.
I’ll defend myself to anyone who lumps me as unintelligent because I find entertainment value in commercial TV! I don’t want to watch someone on ABC drone on about very important news in the morning, I want to watch Mel and Kochie do it in a less drony way – and yes they do cover “real news” on their shows just in a less serious way!
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you’re more than welcome to enjoy (or NOT enjoy *hint*) anything you please, but i cant stand it when tv hosts especially get extremely hostile and shrill about dissenting opinions, the host does not even consider that someone with a different world view could possibly exist, even my content of my comment is being read in different ways
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Your joking ,Mel and Kochie less droning !
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It us up to us who we choose as our heroes, according to how we see the world and how we understand what other people do. To me, sportspeople like Evans personify many of the human traits we hold in the highest regard: dedication, persistence, perseverance….ect. True heroes will last, and be remembered long after their time. To be a hero, a person must be remembered for more than just their results sheet, and have a tangible effect on the lives of others. To see how far a shy, unassuming guy who just likes to ride is bike can go, gives me hope and inspires me for my own future, not just in cycling but in everything I strive to achieve. This is what makes him, for me, more than just a winner.
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he has made no impact on the world, his accomplishment has done nothing to better the lives of anyone in a meaningful way, if he inspires you that is fine but he is not a hero, a hero sacrifices themselves to help others, evans has helped himself, nothing more
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Obviously you know little to nothing about Cadel Evans, or his work with Cerebral Palsy, Asia Onlus (which supports the tibetan children/refugees), The Amy Gillett foundation (which promotes road safety) or the Ian Thorpe Youth foundation (which works with aboriginal children on literacy issues). Not everyone that sees Cadel as their hero does so simply for his ability to ride a bike. To suggest Cadel has only helped himself is ignorance and/or arrogance on your part.
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“Not everyone that sees Cadel as their hero does so simply for his ability to ride a bike”
But as far as most of the mainstream media goes? They barely knew who he was last month. So if they’re calling him a hero now, it is absolutely because of the bike.
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is the holiday suggested to be in celebration of his Cerebral Palsy work? was his victory in the race sought to promote the issue and dedicated to those he wants to help? and do any celebrities and sports stars these days choose to support charities without being advised to do so by their PR reps? i thought not
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Last I checked my response was to your stating that he had “helped himself, nothing more”. The calling for a public holiday is excessive, I agree (and most likely tongue in cheek to an extent). The media tend to sensationalise things, I agree. My comments were not directed to any of this, rather it was a direct response to your comment. Cadels involvement with Tibet comes from his wife, not his PR rep. Chiara gave him a child sponsorship as a gift a number of years ago, and his committment grew from this. It seems to me you are moving the boundaries now that you have been called out.
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that is nice that he has given some money, but we all do that, but that doesnt involve any danger or risk to himself nor will it make any real difference, nor does it diminish the self orientated nature of goals like winning a race, how has winning the tour de france changed the world? except for making sports obsessed jingoistic australians happy?
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how do you know Cadel has done nothing to better the world? many of the cyclists in the tour donate and raffle off their bikes at high prices for charity. Sky racing is endorsing green energy and biodegradable bottles. Maybe do a little research before commenting.
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This is right. If dedicating your life to a personal endeavor, and then using the rewards of your success to help others, and not asking for any recognition for your goodwill is not worthy of respect, then little else is. He and his wife are involved in a huge amount of philanthropy, both publicized and private. He is one of the nicest people on this planet, regardless of this.
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Mia while I agree with what your thought process was this morning but sadly this morning you came across as a fool you were not willing to listen to the points that Karl was trying to make.
Instead you made your self look like a spoilt little girl, and I lost some respect for you today.
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Karl’s points were meaningless waffle, at no point did he come close to identifying how one mans thirst for glory makes him a hero
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Mia, I understand what you’re saying with regards to those people who do life changing, amazing things every day without the acolades. But I’m pretty sure they don’t do it to see their photo on the front page of the paper, just like Cadel has not worked hard to be the best at what he does so people will call him a hero. Also he lives in Switzerland in the cycling season and comes home to Barwon Heads in the summer where Geelong locals see him putting in the hard work in the off season.
Everyone is welcome their own opinions I say and for a cycling fan, its been an amazing 3 weeks and I’m proud of his achievements and happy for him, his team, family and friends
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How ridiculous!
I’m a sports nut but, really, they are not heros.
What’s upsetting, though, is that in expressing your opinion you get hammered by people who, far less articulately than you, disagree.
I always think that those who yell loudest, or most disrespectfully, have the least of value to say. Ignore them. Better still – block them!
People driving you to tears because they don’t think Cadel is a hero – how ridiculous!
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Mia, I understand your point and generally are respectful of people’s opinions but you can’t have your cake and eat it too. The photo for today’s news briefs from your web site was Cadel winning the race. Perhaps your team should have selected a different photo?
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I do agree partly with you Mia about Cadel not being a hero, however may I raise this:
1) Not all sports people are over paid: many go without pay for years in pursuit of their dreams (their choice I know), but whatever money they can make from doing something they love – good luck to them.
2) Sports people are not heros for what they personally achieve – agreed. However they can use their profile to raise awareness and funds for the world’s diseases (e.g the Livestrong campaign by Lance Armstrong), and many donate money without hesitation to worthy causes (e.g Tennis players donating for the bush fires & Andrew Bogat putting up a reward for a missing teenager) – they don’t have to do it.
So if Cadel works his ass off for 7 years, wins a lot of money, donates some to Tibet, inspires Australian children to get off the couch and burn some calories, and inspires others to not give up on their dreams when the going gets tough – then Thank You Cadel for making the world a better place. If only everyone had such an influence.
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Read the story. Read a page of comments. Then went back and watched the clip.
Oh my God.
That’s all I can say! What’s the hoo-ha about? I completely agree with your sentiment Mia, but even if I didn’t, I defend your write to express it.
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and most others defend their right to comment on what they perceive as incredibly insensitive and rude behaviour from Mia.
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*right* Freudian slip!
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True, anonymous, though people can respectfully disagree without being petty. I watched the clip and cannot believe it provoked such snark.
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I think most people will still love Mia- I do but I am not a sports fan. I guess the flippant and rude way she expressed her distain for sport’s stars was insulting to those that felt moved and excited about his win. she was making fun of many Australians who sport is like a religion. They to deserve the respect to like what they like without ridicule.
I do not condone the rude and personal back flip how ever.
she could have just said while I don’t get the excitement about sports I am glad he did well and left it at that. Move on.
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1000th Post, wooooooo
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Mia, I really felt for you watching the video above. Like you, I don’t really understand how sporting people’s achievements enrich the lives of others (like doctors etc.) For some reason, this opinion seems to really upset a lot of sporting fans. I agree with you, this is news for the ‘sports’ section, not for the front page. There are so many people around the world whose stories need to be told, could we not focus more of our news efforts on them?
I think the nasty comments that came your way may also be the vocal minority rather than the majority. Take heart, many of us share your view!
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Let me say up front that the vitriol you have described as receiving in completely unacceptable and out of proportion. But I do think you have made a couple of ignorant mistakes for someone who makes (at least part of their) living as a media commentator.
Your points are based on the premise that Cadel is being called a hero. I’m not sure where this came from as I don’t think I heard that exact term used in any report I heard. If you did hear that, was it a common description? I think not. If not, you have to face the possibility you were making comments based on your predisposition towards the topic, rather than the actual event and / or coverage.
I am assuming for the sake of this reply that you were talking in general about the adulation of sporting prowess in this country, rather than the specific term ‘hero’. While this is a valid point to make, I believe you are underestimating the capacity of the ‘average joe or jane’ to make a distinction between winning the Tour de France and say, finding a cure for cancer. I personally believe that the latter would be acknowledged as the more important by all and sundry, but there is no reason for the prior not to be celebrated. Both serve a function in the formation of cultural identity for the various components of our society, and they are not mutually exclusive. There’s no reason for us not to celebrate the achievement of one of our ‘tribe’ achieving something we will likely not see again in any of our lifetimes.
That’s IMO what happened to you today. You came out on the Today program stating that Cadel should not be regarded as a hero when no one was calling him one. You (by implication) assumed that the public does not understand the difference between a sporting ‘hero’ (a media term I might add) and a ‘real’ hero, when I believe they do. What made it worse was that you were commentating about a man who has put significant time into charity works, which you either did not know or ignored. What came across to the general public was either your downplaying the achievement, talking down to them, or airing an existing grudge.
Sorry, but … if you’re going to do the media commentary thing and stuff up to this extent you have to wear the consequences. You should have simply said you are not a sports fan but recognized the achievement … and thought he deserved more praise for his charity works.
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I’ve mentioned this before…below in all these comments…way way below…so I’ll mention it again…the theme of the TODAY show this morning was all Cadel Cadel Cadel, especially from Karl…as Mia mentions in her post, it was all Karl wanted to talk about in his segment with Mia today…so it was Karl who raised the subject…I think Mia’s point that not everyone is as excited as Karl was merited…she may not have argued her case very well, but in the context of what had occurred during the show up to that point, you can understand why Mia made those comments.
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No, I cant, with respect.
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She was called to be told what the topic of the day would be. So it’s not as if she didn’t have time to think of the approach she should take. As I said in my post, I think she was making a valid point. I still think though that the points I raised are valid and she could have gone with the approach I finished with. Everyone makes mistakes, but the gist of the text above revolves around the word ‘hero’ – implying she has still not come to terms with why the public is so antagonistic towards her commentary today.
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I was at home today…I watched this all unfold live on air…when they got to Mia’s segment it was clear that all Karl wanted to talk about was what a top bloke Cadel Evans was and not about any of the other news stories that broke over the weekend (if I remember rightly there were a couple of major stories)…I think Mia was placed in a really awkward position…there had been so much patriotic jingoism in the segments leading up to Mia’s…I wasn’t surprised that Mia reacted against Karl’s over-the-top patriotism…when I watched it, it was clear to me that her frustration was being aimed at Karl (and probably the TODAY producers)…so while I disagree with Mia, I understand why she took that position…
The majority of negative comments on this site don’t take any of that into account.
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Agree with you JJ but I think we are in the minority lol
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Beautifully written post ‘Sorry But’
….What you say is so very true.
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Mia, I feel sorry that you have had that level of abuse directed at you; but frankly I am not surprised. Whenever I watch the Today show I notice that there is an increasing tone of lack of tolerance for certain views. The very segment that you are on is often filled with opinionated “shock” type jocks who run a certain, intolerant line. Beneath Karl’s blokey “humour’ also seems to lie some very definite views and it’s all fine if they are agreed with but not so fine if you don’t. It must be that they are playing to a certain audience “type”; one which is closed to differing viewpoints.
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Hey Mia, I think that it shouldnt matter if your a surgeon or a sports star or a movie actress, if you do something amazing, (and yes i do classify the tour de france as amazing) you should get the recognition, and you should be a hero, A hero to me is a person who excels in their field of expertise, a person who rises up and gets noticed for what they are and who they have been for their country. My heroes personally are the people that inspire me. People who have done what may be deemed as simple things but they represent my belief in this beautiful country. it was a wonderful story about a little Aussie who took on the WORLD and won. I think similar recognition should be made for Sam Stosur, and the late greats Chris O’Brien and Fred Hollows. different people have different areas of expertise, and as a pharmacy student, i doubt the fact ill ever be in publications, but I too will be a hero to my local community as I will be the best I can be in my field. Also when you repeated he doesnt live here, I would like to point out, the majority of our athletes, movie stars and reporters dont live in australia. They are ‘ours’ via birth or childhood, we should not claim based on where they are right now. For instance, if i went and did honours at an American university and worked there for a few years and did something amazing and made the news, would i be Australian? yes i would. Would people say she doesnt even live here? I dont think they would. You bring a valid point but please understand that as a very proud Australian, i think any of our boys and girls, anywhere around the world are heroes for following their dreams and in Cadel’s case, reached the pinnacle of success in his chosen career.
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First timer on here – my sister loves you and told me to look the site up. I have read through a number of the comments and while I don’t agree with any abuse you are receiving Mia, god help anyone on here who disagrees with you – some of your supporters are incredibly rude.
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Hey, it’s great that he achieved his dream… he worked incredibly hard for it and seems like a nice guy as well. But, frankly, he is not a hero to me. A champion? Absolutely. A hero? Well, unless he’s crawling into burning buildings to check for people that need to be rescued or putting his life on the line by putting on a certain uniform or doing something like soothing a confused and injured person while helping them… uh, no, sorry… those are my definition’s of a hero.
Having said that, does he have something to teach others about the powers of persistence, following your dreams, setting goals, not making excuses, putting in the hard work and all those incredibly admirable qualities? Yes, he does, of course he does. But there are sports coaches and teachers across Australia who do the same thing and I don’t hear them being called heroes or having the idea of a public holiday in their honour being raised.
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ah mia, dont sweat it, you have many opinions, obviously most are palatable to the public because you have a squillion hits a day reading the stuff you put out there, so this ones not quite so agreeable, meh, so what. I happen to think he is a ‘sporting hero’ which is different to someone who is a ‘brave hero’ or an ‘everyday hero’. like others have said, he deserves his day in the sun, like others deserve their moment of success when they achieve something extraordinary. If you dont like the term hero applied in those circumstances you are entitled to your oppinion. At the end of the day if you talk to a million people over their breakfast cuppa with a strong negative against something they are feeling warm and fuzzy about your rate of reply will be far higher than say me, having a rant at my husband, where my rate of reply will be… one. For those flinging around words like dog / bitch – get some perspective!
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I watched the last four stages of the tour, staying up late into the night and then attempting to parent in the early morning, and I think what Cadel did was utterly amazing, but if you don’t agree that’s completely fine. I’m not sure why anyone would get upset at you (and if I’d had to watch the channel 9 team rise in the studio for the national anthem, I may have expressed my bafflement too).
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Regardless of whether you agree with Mia or not abusing someone for their opinion just shows lack of civility,respect and intelligence I don’t regard Cadel as a hero and Cadel probably doesn’t regard himself as a hero. However his sheer talent, guts and determination in the greatest test of human endurance is to be admired and celebrated. No matter what our ‘Tour de France’ is in life perhaps we can all learn to apply the ‘Cadel’ principles – give it all you’ve got, don’t give in when the going gets tough and don’t cheat!
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I agree with you, Mia. They should look up the meaning of ‘hero’.
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UnAustralian
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I didn’t see the segment this morning and I feel for you Mia – I watched the TDF this year, loved it, am thrilled that Cadel (and the team of people he has behind him) have finally achieved their dream. If his achievement drives people to get out and get active, then awesome. I am sad, though, that we so easily elevate sportspeople to hero status and rarely acknowledge others who deserve and never receive the accolades.
However – I’d like to comment on the comments you’ve received in response to your expression of your opinion……what you’ve experienced is nothing more than bullying – I challenge any of those people who have said this about you:
“….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… ”
to have the guts to say it to your face. I think perhaps not many would avail themselves of an opportunity if it was offered because they know their behaviour is ugly and would be widely condemned. Instead they hide behind a cloak of anonymity and refuse to take responsibility for the effects of their verbal abuse. People – why is it now legitimate to use hateful, spiteful, rude and violence-inciting language unfettered, unfiltered and absolutely personally directed? We desperately try to curtail bullying in our schools and workplaces and yet it thrives in the wide open spaces of media-land. To me, that should be the focus of this whole disgusting episode.
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Mia, I strongly disagree with you and am sad for you that you can’t understand the genuine pride that most feel about Cadel’s achievement. I can fully understand why you were widely bagged from pillar-to-post. Maybe you didn’t understand the magnitude of the sporting achievement. It wasn’t just some GP win or golf tournament or footy game – it was THE TOUR DE FRANCE. The most difficult and demanding event of human endeavor in the world. It’s not just a ‘sporting event’ its a test of a person’s mind, body and spirit. You’re meant to be fairly switched on and able to judge societies pulse – you made a massive misjudgement and mistake on this occasion. Just say you were wrong!
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Just to clarify, Cadel Evans does live in Australia. He shares his time between his home in Barwon Heads, in Victoria, and his house in Switzerland. The Tour de France isn’t just any ordinary bike ride, it is the toughest endurance event in the world and if you dedicated any time to watch the race over the past three weeks you would realise this rather than criticising it. Cadel deserves recognition for his 20 years of dedication, hard work and overcoming adversity.
Cadel Evans isn’t just another ordinary sportsperson, he’s a fighter, a warrior, a champion and a hero to thousands of people around the world.
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Having watched the final stages of TDF with my husband. Very exciting it was too!!! There was lots of excited commentary as you would expect from such a close race, however I don’t recall anyone using the term ‘Hero’ not even once. Plus why were channel 9 so interested in the comments of someone who obviously hadn’t even watched TDF???
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Exactly! the (wonderful) commentating team at SBS, made up of cycling experts, never mentioned the riders as heroes, simply lauded them for their persistance and strength over a tough few weeks.
They praised them, and particularly Cadel Evans, for their skills at CYCLING, not charity work or anything else, just cycling.
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Wow Karl was pretty awesome at standing up for Cadel this morning. Mia, you seem like an intelligent woman, but where was your head at this morning? If your job was to instigate conversation, you’ve done a great job, but you’ve definitely lost the respect from the public. Myself especially. I don’t even like sport, but I felt so proud to be Australian when I heard Cadel had won. After the devastating weekend that the world has experienced, inspiration & hope heals us slowly.
It wasn’t just about your bad timing – it was the way you carried yourself, your body language and your condescending tone. You seemed to sulk when Karl called you ignorant. Did you feel like an idiot, because you certainly looked like one.
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I’ve waited a few minutes (to calm down) before posting this.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but surely you have to agree that people place value on different things. Cadel winning the Tour de France is a HUGE deal to many Australians/cyclists out there, who are you to try and dampen the emotional high people are feeling?
“He gets paid to ride a bike?” – seriously. It’s how you’ve gone about getting your opinion across, and worst of all the timing of it.
PS: You don’t need to understand how sporting success makes someone who’s into sport feel. You just have to relate the passion to something you’re personally passionate about, and imagine someone on national television hating on it.
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N I I don’t think u intended it this way but it came off looking like tall poppy syndrome, the way it was said was more wrong then what u said if that even makes sense lol
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for once i find myself agreeing with you mia.
to those who want to claim cadel’s win as a win for themselves (pathetic as it might be) it’s fine with me. however, don’t expect me to share in the sort of hero worship that results from a national inferiority complex. he won – good for him, after all that’s who he did it for. his win will not make you a better person. let’s not kid ourselves that the lives of australians are somehow improved as a result.
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Mia, you are a joke! Your entire career is built on little more than a glammed up Dolly magazine. Not everyone is born with the ability to perform heart surgery or adopt starving children, so does this mean we are any less valuable in society.
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Maybe this will put things into perspective for you.
25 years of cycling, all the training, all the fitness regimes, all the injuries, all the money, all the time, all the sacrifices, all the mental endurance it takes to keep going even though everything seems to be against you. 25 years it has taken to get to this point, 10 years of road experience in professional international (that means leaving your home and country) cycling teams just leading up to this win.
What have you amassed in your career in 10 years? how about 25 years? Have you been so dedicated that you have seen through something over a 25 year period? are you the best in your particular field? can you stand high and say I have finally reached my goals and accomplished everything I had set out to do? Its a huge accomplishment, right up there with anything anybody could do. Are they better than someone who might be working to find a cure for cancer? of course not, but that doesnt mean they are any less dedicated and should be dismissed so easily as you have done.
People are too quick to pass off achievements such as this without actually thinking how long an elite sports person has spent toughing it out to make it to this point. It doesnt happen over night, its a full time job that takes everything out of you in order to be the best, and thats why the public has responded so pasionately.
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Mia, I AGREE WITH YOU!!! I can’t bring myself to read all of those comments but I’m guessing alot is negative against your opinion. I agree completely, good on you Cadel Evans for winning a race and getting paid a lot of money to do what you love – but really, Cadel Evans Day and public holidays. We are all entitled to our opinion and should be allowed to express them without attack.
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I thought we pride our selves in Australia with the ability for free speech, but only it seems if you go along with the majority. If everyone is proud to be an Aussie because of Cadel’s achievement then I’m embarrassed to be an Aussie because of the abuse you have received today. So much for free speech and respect each others opinions. Hang in there Mia.
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I agree with you Mia – totally do not understand why the adulation, the money, the carry on! Much prouder of my father who was able to grow fresh vegetables! or of partners who “lose” jobs because of the sector they are in – and do not go “postal”, but manage to live with dignity and on the fruits of their labour.
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Hey Mia, I noticed you don’t have a section on here devoted to people who “save lives” etc. So I can only assume you are not really all that interested in giving them a shout out like you claim??? Cadel Evans has done Australia proud and I have enormous respect for him. You on the other hand seem to lose more and more of my respect each time you speak. A handle on public opinion ? Don’t think so!
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There’s a whole section of Mamamia dedicated to charities called Mamamia Cares on the homepage. Go have a browse and donate
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Just had a look at Mama Mia Cares section but couldn’t see one individual “Hero” she has given a shout out to. I can see she supports charities and that’s great, but that is different to supporting the HERO’s she claims never gets the recognition of the community.
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As a social worker of 35 years who has worked in the HIV epidemic of Sydney for many years, worked in multiple Asian countries looking after people with HIV, I consider the achievement, motivation and dedication of Cadel Evans to be classed as a sporting hero.
This from a boy who started life in not the same privileged circumstances as yourself.
And lets be clear, I am acutely aware of what is happening in the rest of the world.
Mia, apart from lipstick, fairy floss and editing a mind numbing, girly, glossy magazine, please tell us what your achievements have been??
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Mia is not suggesting that she should be given ‘hero’ status at any point, simply that she feels….oh read the darn article above where she explains herself wouldja? Then perhaps try and comment constructively?
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It would be really hard to answer this – if one (I) don’t agree that Evans is a hero then it is a contest in which one (I) have to put up my achievements? I don’t think Mia was ever into comparing herself with Evans, she just said that of all the achievements out there in the world (and it seems that your achievements would be included in that) – bicycling is not one that she “gets”.
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The cycling was a fantastic effort of courage and endurance but what REALLY impressed me was to see Cadel give his acceptance speech in French! Not bad for a true blue Aussie bloke from Katherine!
But that aside, today I’ve signed up for my own physical challenge – a 75km cycling time trial, to help raise money for the homeless. It will involve plenty of training on cold, wet Melbourne days where sometimes I will no doubt question my sanity. But this is the sort of thing that achievements like Cadel’s inspire – and surely that can only be a good thing for the average Aussie?
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Maybe for you but not for most – Australia probably has the most hysterical adulation of ‘sports heros’ anywhere but it also has the world’s worst obesity epidemic. Obesity rates have doubled in the past 20 years in this country. It’s my understanding that a large proportion of money that was once put aside to increase community involvement in sports and activities has been re-channeled into a small number of professional sports people.
We’re easily one of the top countries (per capita) in the world for elite sports people so clearly if this sort of achievement inspired the average Aussie to be heavily involved in sport we would already see much more active participation. Cadel’s achievements will deeply inspire some yet I think for the *average* Aussie the only activity it will inspire them into is *watching* more sport.
Personally I’m a fan of cycling, as I am a cyclist myself – so I do find the Tour de France inspiring and admirable but this isn’t the point. It’s that the hoo ha is completely over the top and people with other, just as inspiring and worthwhile contributions, are completely invisible. And anyone who dares to state that they disagree is torn to shreds by the flash mob. It is suffocating and dull.
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