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
The biggest problem about this debate is how you define a “Hero”
Take these dictionary definitions “Hero – a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal.” “Hero – a person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for their brave deeds and noble qualities.”
Based on those definitions, who we call a hero is purely based upon our own opinions of what brave deeds and noble qualities are, and although it may be to the chagrin of Mia and many others, Australian society does value athletic and sporting achievements high on the list of “brave deeds”.
I happen to agree that the extent to which that occurs in our society can be quite ridiculous and cringed both at some of the hyperbole being put forth last night on the live SBS coverage of his win and also in the knowledge that many media “personalities” would suddenly be lauding this new hero that until 2 weeks ago they had no idea existed. Unfortunately I feel Mia may have picked the wrong target when choosing which sportsperson to pick out for what she openly admits is a bug bear of hers, as Cadel’s commitment to championing the causes of those less fortunate than himself both here in Australia and other parts of the world (Tibet & Nepal for starters) is widely known within the cycling community. The reason this is less well known within wider society is due firstly to cycling’s low profile within mainstream media but also Cadel’s personal position of avoiding as much media attention as possible. Perhaps with the chance for a little more research before tying these two topics together some of the vitriol directed towards Mia (as horrible and uncalled for as it is) could have been avoided.
The irony of the whole situation is that the one person that would most likely agree that the fawning and adulation from some sections of the media is ridiculously over the top and out of proportion is the one person that all of the attention is now being focused upon, Cadel Evans.
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I agree with you Mia and you are 100% entitled to your opinion. Yes it’s wonderful that an Australian won Le Tour and I loved watching Le Tour but I also think I’d be more impressed if someone found a cure for cancer. As Aussies we get very passionate about our sports and I think this is just one of those times when passion has taken over everything else. It’s awful people were openly slagging you for your comments when that was just your opinion and you were not hurting anyone!
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Have you read the ‘not just for me’ section on http://www.cadelevans.com.au/bio.aspx?
I agree with you that there are plenty of heroes that we should be celebrating but it doesn’t mean that we as Australians, cycling fan or not, should not be proud of Cadel Evans winning the Tour de France.
I respect your opinion but am disappointed that you leveraged a positive story to make your point.
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I think media reporters need to get hold of a thesaurus and come up with some different words. ‘Hero’ is over-used, as is describing all natural disasters as looking like a ‘war-zone’…..come on people, start using your imaginations.
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Well, I guess it says a lot about me that I didnt realise the tour de france was even on, let alone who won (or that it was an aussie winner) until clicking on this post. I am also bemused at all the fuss I guess! I am not into sports – at all (unless I somehow end up at a live game then I love to scream and cheer even when I dont know whats happening). I think its cool for an Aussie to win something (yay for us) but I agree with Mia that I certainly dont understand why you would apply the tag Hero. Champion, yes, hero,… um why?? Anyway Mia, I am sorry everyone is coming down on you so hard – it would be me if I had been there too as I am also clearly disconnected from the majority of Aussies as I just cannot understand all this fuss!!! Especially against you for just saying you didnt think it worthy of the hero tag. Wow. A lot of people like sports, thats nice for them but its not unaustralian to not be into it! Big hugs x
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Mia, Mia, Mia, I’m even more grossed out by your back peddling. It may well be one persons opinion but you abused your position in the media to express it and against Cadel on the day of his huge accomplishment, really, wasn’t that a bit miss timed? You might want to comment on the great things Lance Armstrong has done using the fame he earned as a cyclist. I think it was $350m raised for Cancer at last count. Let me know when your tally or that of “your heroes” gets to that wont you?
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I like you Mia but I will not agree with you on this point. It’s about HOPE. Its about DETERMINATION. Its about BELIEF. Its about INSPIRATION. Cadel is a champion. The Tour de France is the hardest sporting event in the world and he has won it. He has been trying to win it for 20 years. It shows tremendous perseverance, tenacity, and an enormous will to do this. It shows that if you keep trying hard enough and set goals you will eventually achieve it.
Sure he didn’t save anyone’s lives but he certainly made it better. I am not a sports nut but I stayed up and watched the race the past couple of nights as it was exhilarating. I felt great watching it. If he can inspire kids to go out and ride a bike and get fit and healthy then he could be saving their lives.
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Mia
I completely support that you are entitled to your opinion. I disagree with it, but that’s not the point. I think there is a single sentence in the piece above which if you had put more emphasis on from the outset, the backlash would have been significantly less. And for what its worth, I don’t believe you can paint a profession as heroic. I know people in some of the professions you have referred to who I would simply not want my kids to look up to as a hero. Who someone chooses to idolise (for lack of a better term) is a personal thing, everyones view will be different. Personally I think you’re approach to this left a lot of people feeling as if you were saying that their choice of a hero was poor, or incorrect. This is why you have copped it. I’m sure that wasnt your intention. You’re a journalist, I am not. Im sure I don’t need to explain the importance of what the reader/viewer takes out of what you write/say.
Oh, and the important sentence I mentioned above? “That’s my definition of hero. I’m not saying it should be yours.”
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I think the name calling and general vitriol that has been hurled at Mia is appalling, unnecessary and just downright rude. Why are some people so afraid of a reasonable debate?
Mia, I happen to disagree with you on this one. I’m no major sports fan, and agree that in Australia there is a disproportionate focus on sporting stars. However, yes I do think in many respects Cadel is entitled to be called a hero. He has worked hard over many years, overcome great personal and physical adversity, risen to the pinnacle of his profession internationally, achieved excellence and undertaken significant charitable works. He also appears to have the ability to positively inspire many people with his actions.
That’s good enough for me.
Has he saved any lives to date? Don’t think so. Do I think his win equates with some of the achievements of our emergency services workers, military or medical professionals? No. Should there be a public holiday in his honour? Of course not.
I guess what I objected to in your interview Mia was your “dismissive” tone and the assertion that Cadel’s win shouldn’t be on the front page of the newspaper and wasn’t worth of public celebration. Why ever not? Would you object to an Australian academy award winner being on the front page of the SMH? Or an artist for winning the Archibald? Or a physicist for winning the Nobel prize? Should their achievements be relegated to the entertainment, arts or science pages respectively because they did not “save a life”?
When individuals work hard and achieve significant feats in their chosen field, I say let’s applaud it and give them their due credit and respect without any snarkiness. Whether we actually call them “heroes” is a little irrelevant to me.
Hope your Monday has improved x
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I would disagree on saying that cadel hasnt saved lives. Have a look into the philanthropic work that he and his wife Chiara do. Sure, he is not standing at an operating table removing cancer from a patient, not everyone has the skills to do that. But he has the ability to provide funds, and does so significantly in more ways than one (Nepal and cerebal palsy are two that come to mind straightaway). He contributes his own money, but also provides his time and his image (which has a commercial value whether we like it or not) which allows more funds to be raised from others. Not everybody can save a life with their own hands, but they can contribute in other ways. Cadel (and Chiara) do quite a lot. If he wasnt a high profile sportsperson, he wouldnt be in the situation to make the contribution that he has.
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Agree Ben. How many sportspeople (or artists, musicians etc) save a life simply by accomplishing something great, like winning a race, or an accolade for their work? What I mean is, somewhere, a disillusioned, depressed, suicidal 14 year old boy may have just watched Cadel win, read his story of struggle and adversity and thought maybe, just maybe, there’s hope for me yet….
Sportspeople, artists and musicians may not be on the front line of saving lives, but people relate and inspire others in all different ways, and if these people can give someone hope for the future by riding a bike, or singing a song, or painting a picture, than we need to acknowledge that these things are indeed very important in our society.
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Great point Ben. I guess i was referring to the ‘traditional’ idea of saving a life with your own hands, as per Mia’s original point.
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I agree with your definition of heroes. Unfortunately those ‘everyday heroes’ go largely unrecognised and unremunerated….
I am also bemused by our fascination as a country with sporting teams and believe it’s part of being a tribe that must hark back to prehistoric times
That said, I think it’s great that one of our sportspeople has achieved his dream and the pinnacle of his sport.
But…I don’t think cycling has the best reputation when it comes to drugs in sport and especially the Tour De France…so am not that keen on promoting it to our young ones.
Cadel’s win does give people something completely fresh, uplifting and joyful compared to the rest of the news…and I think we all need that.
Remember Bob Hawke when Australia won the yacht race? Hysterical, but he really tapped into how Australians were feeling at the time. And perhaps that’s what you missed today…the pulse of the nation…perhaps not giving your opinion so freely in the heat of the moment would’ve been less damaging to your psyche when you had to bear the brunt of the onslaught from sport obsessed Aussies
So rest assured that lots of people agree with you but we won’t be saying it quite so loudly (today anyway).
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One of the biggest positives of Cadel winning the tour (for cycling in general, not just Australia) is that he is well known as a ‘clean skin’, He has taken a strong anti-doping stance since his early days in cycling, his previous coach, Aldo Sassi (who passed away last year) was one of the strongest anti-doping figures in world cycling. Cadel is one of only two winners of the tour in the last 15 or so years (carlos sastre being the other) who hasnt been either a) found guilty of using drugs and had their tour win stripped or b) had large amounts of suspicion cast upon them, although upnroven to date.
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Careful with your babies and bathwater… Drugs are in all sports, the UCI spends more than most on stamping them out. Naturally, this means that they are more likely to catch out the cheats. They haven’t caught Cadel, and nobody has seriously alleged that he is a cheat. Indeed, if you’ve ever seen the sheer suffering on his face as he goes on to win stages, you’d probably find it very unlikely that he is a cheat. Let’s uphold the presumption of innocence.
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Mia, thank you for being honest and speaking a truth that so many are too one sided to hear.
Sportsmen and women aren’t heroes. At best, they’re a lovely inspiration or role models for people to look up to. A hero is someone who has helped others or saved lives. A hero is someone who lives their life selflessly or does something so outlandishly amazing for someone else that there is no other way to see the act as positively heroic.
The people who are attacking Mia for sharing her honest opinion are selfish. You’re screaming for her head when her opinions are as valid as yours. Back off and criticise someone else.
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So Rick, Mia, Nat, Lana….is this the highest traffic article you’ve had on the site ever??
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Not yet….
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Which article is??
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I suspect it would be aout refugees. Always a fiery debate lol
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probably is now. lol. 1167 comments – with few deleted ones by the looks of it. All because of Cadel Evans.
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I watched the Today Show and I have to say what I liked the most about it is that you stuck to your guns and admitted you don’t care. I don’t care either. Sure, it’s great for him, I’m sure it was really hard work and all, but it’s not what I want to hear about in the news.
As far as sportspeople go, I guess Cadel is a fairly good role model in terms of promoting an active lifestyle, but I wouldn’t go so far as to say ‘hero’. A hero has always been someone who saves the day, or a life or something. Cadel won a bike race. Come on, people.
And Karl wanted to make the WHOLE segment about Cadel? It’s called ‘What’s Making News’, there’s plenty more that made news this weekend.
I think it’s terrible you’ve been copping all that crap for voicing your opinion. Quite frankly, I think if Karl hadn’t been so over the top about disagreeing with you, it might not have been so bad.
Stay strong and don’t ever apologise for your opinion. You were asked, you answered truthfully. That’s all anyone can ask of you. If they don’t like the answer, tough shit!
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Yeah I disagree with Karl trying to make it the only “Whats making news” story.
I know Mia isn’t a hard news hitting journo (don’t take offence Mia I love your website and have followed your career since I was a teenager), so perhaps delving into Norway or Amy Winehouse wasn’t appropriate for her segment, I’m not sure what Mia’s segment normally involves, but Norway is just this horrible horrible thing that happened to those poor people!
To clarify, I don’t watch Today, I watch Sunrise, so I have no clue whatsoever as to whether or not it was a running story on Norway on the Today show this morning, but it did strike me as a little odd that he wanted to just talk about Cadel Evans.
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Usually in the segment they talk about whatever is making news (hence the title I guess). So there are usually some pretty heavy topics touched on. With all the stuff that happened over the weekend, I can’t believe Karl (I actually didn’t realise he gets to pick the topics in the first place) decided to focus solely on a sporting event. People lost their lives in a terrorist attack. I don’t know about you, but that is something I want to be informed about!
At the end of the day, it’s a bicycle race. Did it have a long lasting effect on the world? No. Did the Olso bombings? Ah, yes, I’d say so.
I feel sorry for Mia, it’s not like she was given much to go on. And Karl asked for her opinion and she gave it. It does not justify the way he reacted or the way everyone else is reacting. Mia wasn’t able to skip to the next topic, because there wasn’t one! Poorly planned segment on the Today Show’s part.
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A long lasting affect? It happened 12 hours ago. Would 1 child deciding to stop watching tv and go ride a bike due to Cadel be a lasting affect?
You ignorant people need to pull your head out of the sand and stop getting your ideas and opinions from these uneducated “social commentators” who know zero about real life.
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OK, let me put it this way: In a month’s time, when all the hype has died down, how many people will still be affected by a man winning a bicycle race? How many people will still be affected by bombings that killed nearly 100 people? A hell of a lot more, I’d say. And sure, that’s great if kids want to go out and ride bikes because of him, but let’s not pretend that he’s changed the world or something here. Next year, the same race will take place and someone will win it. But those 90 odd people will still be dead and their families still grieving. The city will still be trying to rebuild what they lost and are forever changed. That is just as if not more newsworthy as Cadel Evans and his win.
And I managed to come up with that all by myself, thanks.
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Obviously you came up with it, because it is a ridiculous argument.
The 2 stories are non relating.
By your standards we should all just sit in the corner of our rooms crying 24/7 for all the people that have died and never be happy about anything ever again. Life happens, death happens, and great things happen. What Cadel did was great and needs as much attention as possible to bring a ray of sunshine and life into this dark world we live in.
These 2 stories should not be discussed in the same breath, but Mia decided to compare them. And now sad people like you are following her uneducated, narrow minded, desperately seeking attention view on life. Sad.
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OK, I’ve had enough. Yes, what he did was great for him. There are other important things going on in the world though, like the Oslo bombings. The reality is, people need to know about it.
Don’t put words in my mouth, at no point did I suggest that ‘we should all sit in the corner of our rooms crying 24/7 and never be happy about anything again.’ Who’s ridiculous now?
Insulting me and any other commenters on this site because we have a different opinion to you is uncalled for. Grow up or get out. I’m done.
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A personal attack on someone simply because they don’t share your opinion is small minded and reactionary. I am surprised that people were so vitriolic in their comments to you Mia. Looking at your Today Show interview, I thought you made your point (which was always going to be unpopular) clearly and without denigrating Cadel’s achievements. Your point seemed to be “well done Cadel but does he or any other sportsperson really provide the best illustration of ‘hero’?”
Technically, he does fit the dictionary definition of hero being ‘a man admired for great deeds’. The definition goes on to add “and noble qualities” and I think it is this second part that you are advocating. I couldn’t agree more – as much as I loved, loved, loved the Tour – Australia does struggle to give equal adulation to non-sporting achievements. Ultimately though I think people attacked you because they thought you might jeopardise the chance of a public holiday!!!!
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You are a nothing short of a disgrace.
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Brenden, everyone is free to have their opinion, but how are you adding to the debate, or adding weight to your opinion by calling Mia a disgrace?
That comment adds nothing to the debate, come on you can come up with a reasoned and thoughtful argument, not just outright and vulgar abuse!
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Outright and vulgar? Did I swear? Was I offensive?
My brief response is just as insightful as her comments. She comes on national television and says “I just don’t get it?”. If you don’t get something then you don’t go on national television to try and water it down or question it. You simply don’t acknowledge it or discuss it. It was an uneducated opinion purely to grab attention, and it worked, unfortunately for her though the attention is 99% negative and will cost her a lot more than just one bad day in the office. (Obviously not 99% negative on this website).
Did she actually mention anyone else who deserved to be on the front page of the paper? Is the front page of the paper only there for death and despair? How many articles about death and despair, or “true heroes” are on the front of her magazines as apposed to celebrity diets and fashion??? Look up hypocrite in the dictionary.
For once the nation wakes up and sees on the front page one of the most inspiring people our country has ever produced has actually achieved a life long goal and dream which will inspire thousands to get out and exercise or chase a dream. If Cadel’s victory prevents just 1 child from becoming obese due to falling in love with cycling then it is worth 10 front pages!!
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Well, you didn’t swear, which is more than I can say for some of the comments I have seen today, so I’ll give you that.
The point I was trying to make was that you should add to the debate like you have just done above, and not just leave a comment like “you are a disgrace” which doesn’t add anything to the debate.
Calling someone a disgrace is abit vulgar, I would call someone who perjures themselves or something (I’m trying to think of an example which would be universally “disgraceful” and that is hard, I guess perjury would be something everyone would think disgraceful, especially given its a crime?) a disgrace not someone who goes on the tellie who voices an unpopular opinion about sport people
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Well both my comments received 13 thumbs up (and rising) compared to your 1 thumb up.
Any comment on my opinion then?
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If thumbs up meant anything, I’d run for President of MM based on some of the thumbs up I get on MM…pffft, who am I kidding…
Seriously, this isn’t a popularity contest…
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Because she truthfully answered a question? Obviously you don’t agree with her, which you are entitled to – just as she is entitled to give her opinion. If that’s the way you feel, why would you be on this site? Giving out nasty comments doesn’t add anything. It’s just childish.
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Of course sports people can be hero’s but not your typical AFL, NRL and soccer players who do very little for the community and get paid lots of money which is there only job.
Take Surf Life Savers for an example, they are sports people/athletes who don’t get paid for what they do, patrolling the beach, making sure that everyone stays safe in the water and saving lives…HERO’S.
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It’s ‘heroes’, not ‘hero’s’
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Mia – good on you! It is so rare for people to speak out against the tide of hystreia around these things. When I heard Cadel referred to as a ‘hero’ last night, I almost choked. Especially given recent events around the world where citizens speak out for democracy knowing they may be shot by their own governments, where emergency services crews put themselves in danger to save others in Norway and in natural disasters all over the world, and where volunteers for groups like MSF are heading into East Africa to do what they can to reduce the human misery from years of drought and conflict.
I admire all high performing sportspeople – they do things that I am far too lazy and undisciplined to do. But to be a hero, and for our media to devote such adulation on a sporting win compared to everything else happening in the world is just plain perverse.
I am sorry that you have been subject to such vitriol. Sadly it says more about them than it does about you.
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I watched the Today Show segment this morning, and felt that Karl was being quite harsh on Mia… just because she had a difference of opinion, does not mean that he should berate her like that.
As a viewer, seeing how upset he made Mia made me feel very uncomfortable, and makes me less likely to take him seriously as the host of a TV show that is supposed to present a variety of views and opinions on topics, in an unbiased way.
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I agree, I think Karl was being very unfair. Clearly, he was not expecting Mia to say what she did, and it sounded as though he was trying to get her to change her mind. I’m so glad she didn’t, I’ve always admired her honesty.
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Most kids, teenagers and adults have personal heroes. Mine are Lance Armstrong and Cadel Evans. Both because of their stories and journeys resonating with me. I love it that some others deem these people heroes because they can understand why I admire them so. I’m sure that others have different sorts of people that they greatly admire and respect. My sister admires Nelson Mandela. My father’s hero was his own father who taught him how to fish. My brother loves Anthony Kiedis because they’ve both overcome addiction and he is inspired by his story.Everyone’s story is different and people are touched by different things.
I think it’s lovely when as a nation we, even if it’s for one day, find a collective hero. I’m so happy for Cadel that it’s his time in the sun.
You may not understand how or why he’s touched people, but if he get’s one more kid on a bike, one more kid dreaming big, one more kid in the fresh air and excited about travelling overseas to be the best, how amazing is that?
People should be allowed to have their ‘heroes’, because they inspire them to be better. Whether they be a sports person, politicians (!), author, Oprah Winfrey, rock stars or artists it doesn’t matter, it’s down to the individual.
It’s great your heroes are doctors and service workers, obviously they speak to you and you think they are heroes. I admire them greatly too, but they aren’t my heroes.
And you know what? That’s okay…..
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Why so hatey?
He has used his profile to raise money and awareness for charity. And if he’s encouraging people to get on bikes he’s helping them to use sustainable means of transport, stem the tide of obesity, and enjoy life more in general.
Especially while we’re so divided over refugees, the carbon tax and whatever else, it’s great to have role models and figures that we can unite behind. The news is often criticised for focussing on only negative stories, so it’s as fantastic as it is rare to have something positive hit the front page of our newspapers. Sure, there are stacks of other people who should be commended like this, but the fact that we can’t commend all of them doesn’t mean we should commend none of them.
And for the record, he lives in Switzerland for a reason. You need hills to be a great cyclist. Katherine, his home town, is a beautiful place. But it’s not famous for its hills.
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“He has used his profile to raise money and awareness for charity”
But that’s not why Karl called him a ‘hero’, is it?
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I think I kind of agree with Mia, I get that he worked really hard, his body was pushed to it’s limits and that he didn’t wake up and win, that it was the culmination of years of hard work. But while that is great for him, and he deserves respect for his perseverance ultimately he did all that work to win an arbitrary trophy (albeit the most prestigious of it’s kind). It’s not like humanity has been altered for the better today because he’s a good cyclist. I happy for him and proud that he’s Australian but there’s a famine in Somalia, human rights abuses in china and war in the middle east if winning the tour de France fixed those problems he would deserve the hero title but until then he’s just an impressive athlete.
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Hi Mia.
I saw the segment this morning and cringed as I watched. It was like nails down a blackboard. Not because I disagreed with what you said but because I could feel the weight of the reaction you were about to receive.
The thing about Cadel Evans winning the Tour or any other Australian great winning any world sporting event is that there is another story behind it – the story of the dream. The story where Australia is still seen somewhere deep in our psyches as proving itself on the world stage. The story where it feels somehow amazing to most people that an Australian boy from NT (? I think) could train with the best of them and then WIN in front of the world. Aussie Aussie Aussie indeed. This is such a complex issue but far deeper than sport. I can’t think of examples of similar non-sporting achievements but they are similar… maybe Jen winning Miss Universe a few years ago? Or Julian Assange hailing from suburban Melbourne? There is still something in a lot of Aussies that beams with pride at the fact that our guys and gals are up there with the best of them. (which in itself illustrates a weird inferiority complex… but that’s another story).
On another note, there is the ‘every little boy’s dream’ angle. For all the little ones at Saturday sport, or at the skate park, or at SLSC nippers, or Little Aths, or wherever… Cadel Evans represents that you can win your dream. You can do it! In a totally leftfield connection it’s a bit like Posh and Becks were years ago in the UK – the perfect representation of every little boy and girl’s dream (football star marrying the pop star).
The thing is that Australian kids (big and small) skew wildly to sport when it comes to dreams so if you, Mia, mess with the system by not buying into the dream status of Cadel Evans’ victory, you mess with the social balance – hence the torrential abuse.
I do kind of get what you were trying to say. Weirdly I feel a bit like that about shoes (which you brought up in your interview) – I don’t quite get the excitement people have about shoes. But I respect it, and I try to get it.
Early night tonight and some comfort food perhaps?
Melinda
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There are sporting victories and then there are moments of history. People may not like it, but sometimes, one defines the other.
Sporting victories may not make everyone stand up and cheer and bravo Mia for saying you don’t understand it. I don’t understand the apparent genius of Alexander McQueen and was bemused by the public outpouring of grief over his untimely death. His designs and hard work may be a thing of beauty to many, but to me it was just frippery.
I don’t relate to lots of things in popular culture: Manga comics, death metal, anything created by Tracy Emin and that very wierd artistic pairing of Gilbert and George all leave me shaking my head. But the point of all this is that I probably wouldn’t start spouting my views on Emin or G & G in, say, The Tate Gallery. Or on an art show. I wouldn’t start dissing McQueen within earshot of Anna Wintour.
It’s not that you misjudged the mood Mia. You misjudged the occasion. It isn’t a sporting victory, it’s history and today of all days was not the time to be making your point, not if you wanted to be heard at least.
In 30 years’ time, it will still be talked about, a bit like the America’s Cup. I don’t get the point of that either, but 30 years on, I do have a better appreciation of that particular win if only for the rare times it’s been emulated since.
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Could not agree more… Catherine Freeman’s victory in the 400m at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Maykbe Diva winning her third Melbourne Cup. Australia regaining the Ashes against the old enemy England 4-0 in 1989. Australia II winning the America’s Cup from the US for the first time in 1983. Cadel Evans, the first Aussie to win Tour de France. Moments in Sporting History.
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“You misjudged the occasion.”
Perfectly said. That’s why people are upset. It’s like telling a bride she looks awful on her wedding day!!
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The thing is, this conversation only happened because of what the occasion was. The Today Show wouldn’t have asked the question on any other day.
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Mia could have answered the question in a more tactful and considerate manner.
I get here point about not overselling the person but even for a non sports person this is truly one of those moments in Australian history. Even the New York Times has an article about Cadel the person.
I thought her comments were quite distasteful and a bit of a kill joy. A bit selfish and attention seeking.
Silence is golden sometimes.
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And you’re perfectly entitled to think that! I’m just trying to explain that this wasn’t some pre-meditated campaign beforehand to ruin Cadel’s day. But it’s what she thinks, the abuse coming in afterwards was monumental.
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But I don’t think the question was put in a particularly tactful & considerate manner – when someone’s trying to shove something down your throat, they shouldn’t get precious when you say it’s not to your taste.
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Ahhhh, now we’re getting to the heart of the matter. It could be argued perhaps that Mia walked into it, unaware that Karl would be tubthumping for the entire segment.
It could be read that the discussion was impossibly skewed by the emotion of the day and that Mia was doomed before it even started.
It does upset me to see this awful outpouring of anger, but geez Rickstar, what a huge shame Mia didn’t have the discussion with her husband until after the interview!
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It’s SPORT people. Sport. Cadel did it for personal glory, and money. He’s not a hero. And stop abusing Mia. Your mothers would be horrified.
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To be honest Mary, I think there are easier ways to get money than hauling your ass around France on a bike for 3 weeks in a sport that really doesn’t get much glory here in Australia. I don’t think he’ll be in the top 10 Richest Aussies any time soon.
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No, he won’t be top 10, but with the win comes sponsorship dollars, so he’s probably going to be taking home more than the $65,000 my husband brings home to feed and house the 5 of us!
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How is that relevant?
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It’s just as relevant as sporting heroes are.
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I’ve got to tell you Mary, if I could make the kind of money he makes by doing something that I am good at and love there’s no way that I’d be feeling any less noble, or insecure about my place in the scheme of things.
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Mia, I have often read in your blog that you are disapointed about about the lack of healthy role models in society for our children, and as a mother I know that I am! Cadel’s triumph of spirit through enormous endurance is in stark contrast to the news of the demise and death of Amy Winehouse. I know which one of these I want my children to consider a “hero”.
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Seriously, with everything else that is going on in the world right now – Norway’s tragedy, the humanitarian diasaster in Africa and the debt crisis in the US I’m just amazed that people can be bothered to get so up in arms about one person’s opinion about a sportsman. I think that speaks volumes about our priorities as a society. Almost 800 comments on this thread! Get over it people. One person’s opinion. That is all it is.
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Why are you amazed? She’s paid to give her opinions on TV. Why is she there giving her opinions if she’s not going to cop the flak that might come her way? Does she expect to be insulated from everyone? She’s made an inflamatory (to many) comment or opinion, she’s paid to be on TV, and now she has to cop the consequence. This is not vicitimisation, it’s called ‘leaving yourself wide open for criticism’ without first checking what you’re saying.
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Thanks T for pointing out the bleeding obvious. We get that the world is a messed up place at times. Many of us give what we can to these very causes so we don’t need help interpreting what is more important. The point is we need the good news as well. Perhaps that is why we got so angry at Mia’s remarks, she took the joy out of it. I’m not sure if she was having a bad hair day but she looked bitter and jealous up there on her high horse this morning.
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Mia, in general I agree with you that sportspeople are venerated in the Australian media far too much.
But I do think it was unfortunate that you chose this segment to make your stand. You’re right about too many column inches being devoted to sport in general, but couldn’t you at least allow for the fact that people want to talk about Cadel’s win for at least a few hours after the event? It only happened overnight, after all. If that was all anyone was talking about a week from now, maybe, but the next day? I don’t think that’s unreasonable.
And given that cycling in general is not a high-profile sport in Australia — I doubt many people would have known who Cadel was a few weeks ago — it does seem a bit unfair to begrudge the sport’s brief moment in the sun. Save your arguments for the endless, endless pages devoted to the AFL and NRL, not sports that battle to get even a mention most weeks.
You may not find sportsmen and women inspiring, but many other people do. And many other people can recognise that Cadel’s achievement — which you damn with faint praise — was actually monumental and worth talking about. You don’t have to be in to cycling (which clearly you know nothing about) to see that.
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I have to be honest and say that I am disappointed with Mia’s segment on Today this morning.
I’ve spent the last 10 minutes looking at http://www.cadelevans.com.au to try and gain a little insight into Cadel the person, to look beyond the cycling for a minute. In Mia’s eyes he isn’t a hero, in the eyes of Tashi and the Manasarovar Academy of Kathmandu I’m sure he is a great hero. Tashi is his Tibetan sponsor child. My point is that it wouldn’t have taken Mia very long to do a little research into Cadel Evans before the segment, Mia could have even highlighted some of his achievements outside of sport if sport is not her thing.
Having an opinion is fine (and yes we are all entitled to our opinion) but having an informed opinion is so much better.
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Does that mean all the other people in Australia who sponsor children are heroes too? Lets get some perspective. Is it heroic to donate $$ to the Heart Foundation or to give blood, or to buy a lapel pin for Jeans for Genes day? I think not. It is an act of goodness and kindness and I think generally shows a wish for the world to be a better place. But such acts are not heroic.
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Hey Mia, Stand tall not all of us Proud Aussies need a sporting hero to make us proud. I totally agree that what Cadel did was an amazing tribute to his hard work and dedication and he is one of the good guys. But!!!! what about all the sporting “heros” that are not good guys and they still get pumped up to be heros. We have footballers who end up in brawls and on rape charges, cricketers who think they can sleep with anyone because of their reputation and golfers who destroy their own marriages because of their over inflated pumped up egos. After all it is only sport. And I also did not feel any prouder because he won the race today. Pretty sad world if our sporting achievements are the only thing that can make you stand up and state that you are a proud aussie.
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Jules1964, exactly the point. Cadel never asked to be a ‘hero’, and he’s not the same as other sporting ‘heros’ that you described, who are shameful and don’t even deserve the money they get paid. They let down real champions like Cadel. Cadel is a hero in the media’s eyes and his followers. I don’t see why we cannot agree on this. I’m not a cyclist, never cycled in my life, but I am in awe of Cadel’s achievement and have stayed up to watch the Tour for the past 5 years. I now know what these special athletes are put through. Cadel is a superman.. you can quote me on this!
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Kay I agree that he is not the same and well done for his achievements.
My dad was the Australian Champion road cyclist back in the 50′s when he was 16 and he is my hero, but not because of his sporting achievements as a youngster but more in his personal achievements in life, being a decent human being and wonderful parent.
He raised us to appreciate hard work in any chosen vocation but he has never asked us to think of him as a hero.
I can also appreciated the hard work and dedication it takes to be a superior athlete, my father gave up his childhood for his achievements and my mother gave up being an easter bride because cycling came first in my fathers family.
So heres to Cadel and his family for they have sacrificed much (as parents and partners do) to support him in is achievements. They deserve the praise as much as anyone
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I must say I am stunned by the amount of posts on her. Really? Is it that interesting? I admit to posting my Fair share and reading the comments but it is a bit of a storm in a teacup. Mia, you would do well to put it behind you:)
Move along people. Nothing to see here. The world is still turning and tomorrow’s headlines are happening now.
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I am with you Mia and agreed with you this morning while I prepared breakfast. Congratulations to Cadel…… but let’s get some perspective. More worryingly, I believe you have the right to express your opinion without abuse.
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O Mia, so sorry about all the abuse you have been getting – I’m also totally perplexed. I fully understand where you are coming from – I fail to ‘get’ the sportsperson as hero as well. I await the day when the nurses, the teachers, the childcare workers, the doctors, the scientists, the historians, archaelologist and the cleaners are feted as the heroes they are. I am definitely more interested in hearing about them! I understand sport brings joy to peoples lives… but so does music and that does not make musicians heroes – food brings joy, but it doesn’t make the cooks ‘heroes’. Hang in there Mia, you’re not alone!
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Thank you for mentioning teachers!!
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Hang in there Mia. I feel exactly the same as you on this issue. I get where you’re coming from. Covering up the bad and sad things in the world with colorful front pages of racing champs is heartless as well as curious.
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There is no cover up, the media will cover what sells. They are in the profit business at the end of the day.
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Who wants to read doom and gloom all the time!
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It sucks to have had such a bad start to the day but Mia, I totally get what you are saying and have to say I totally agree. Yes, Cadel has achieved something amazing, something incredible & something for which he & our country should be exceptionally proud. However, I’d feel much better bestowing the title of “hero” on our veterans returning from war, those research scientists working tirelessly to find a cure for cancer/AIDS etc…
It is disappointing that so many Australians are so quick to criticise other Australians for holding an opinion different to theirs. We don’t all have to agree. Hopefully the week gets better.
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I feel for you Mia. The day after an inaugural Australian victory in a major world sport is probably the main reason for the severity of the backlash. But still you should be allowed to express your opinion without personal attack. It’s gotten ridiculous.
I was thrilled Cadel Evans won the TDF, he may indeed be a Sporting Hero for achieving what he has, for himself and for his country, at a time where good news seems to be scarce. But I agree, he hasn’t fought for a cause, saved lives, improved the plight of the impoverished or invented a vaccine. For some reason, in this country the opposite of the Tall Poppy syndrome applies to sportsmen and women. Woe betide anyone who makes the mistake of pointing that out.
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This is such a first world problem.
Its so easy to get angry about this because you don’t have to get off your bum and do anything. Just yell “Un-australian!” at Mia on your TV. Simple.
He has a good life, reward for effort and the chance to pursue his dreams. Many don’t. Does it matter if he’s a hero or just the best bike rider in the Tour de france for 2011? Next year there will be a new hero. Last year there was a hero too. And on and on it goes.
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oh, for goodness sake. He rides a bike. He does this very well, perhaps better than any other person in the world right now- at least from one end of France to the other- and that is amazing, admirable and awe inspiring. Does it make him a hero? Not in my opinion. I went to school with Cadel and thought it was pretty horrible what he had to contend with and he has used the consequences of his early injuries to his advantage. He has not pulled someone from a burning plane or developed a vaccine to save people from malaria or HIV. It makes me a little sad that this is what we see as being the pinnacle of achievement.
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Hi Mia, I totally agree with what your saying, in regards to your today show segment, and Australians need to learn how to accept other peoples perceptions and opinions.. There was no need for people to get so rude and mean.. Dont take any of that negativity on.. Its their stuff not yours. You were asked your opinion and you gave it.. Well done…
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I agree. I was fascinated by one article that suggested Cadel had a fourteen year scholarship from the Australian Sports Academy. If only my University had been so generous. If only I earnt as much money, I’d be able to pay it off…
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From Fred Smith
Why can’t Cadel be a hero. He has achieved greatness in his chosen field. He hasn’t been handed this victory on a silver platter, I am sure he has worked damn hard for it. Anyone who has watched the TDF for the past few years and seen him just miss out, like to think they know how he is feeling now. Anyone can be a hero, even you Mia.
Hero’s aren’t just humanitarians, world peace enthusiasts, nobel peace prize winners. Hero’s can be your next door neighbour who helps you out when you are in a bit of strife getting into your locked house without a key.
To me Cadel is a hero. An amazing effort by an amazing Australian
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Well said! I am not a huge sports fan, but having grown up watch the tour every year with my dad I have a huge amount of respect for the riders.
I agree with you that heros can be anyone. Cadel may not have directly saved a persons life, but he has inspired many. He bought me to tears many times in the last few years, and it was amazing to see him finally win.
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I’m totally on your side, Mia. I admire the commitment and endurance of sportspeople. I have a friend who was an Olympic gymnast so I know how hard she worked for what she achieved. It does not a hero make though.
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Problem here is not people’s opinions. People have the right to think what they want and cheer him on if they want. The problem is media. What worries me is that in my office this morning people were talking about Cadel Evans winning and Amy Winehouse’s death. More than half the people didn’t know what happened in Norway… which I suspect if roles were reversed Aussies would be upset about. So cheer on and mourn those that have achieved but also we shouldn’t have to search for other important news that has resulted in 97 deaths. Knowledge is power… let’s try and be exposed to as much of it as possible.
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I’ve watched your comments this morning. While I respect your opinion and your willingness to have one, you come across as completely hypocritical Mia.
- Scroll up this very page and you see style galleries dedicated to models and average celebrities, rather than of the ‘real heroes’ you talk about like doctors and such.
- You have a history of writing on such things continuously.
- When a sporting victory comes up, of which you clearly know and care little, you feel free to criticise. But when someone wears a crappy dress to another awards ceremony, you instantly write yourself about their celebrity and poor fashion choices!
Now, what is more ‘inspirational’ and does more for people’s health and wellbeing – a story about a fashion faux pas or one of someone winning THE toughest bike race, and one of the toughest sporting events, in the world?
Especially after this weekend of terrible events in Norway, a celebrity suicide and more political debate, to have a great story like this is a real breath of fresh air and great to have.
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I think my Aunt and mother are hero’s but I dont think that just because thats my opinion they should be the front and centre of the news headlines…why not celebrate Cadel, not only for his win but for his inspiration he will give to other people. It’s also essential to remember that people have different interpretation of “hero”, to some teen who is feeling lost and unsure of them self then this could be just the inspiration they need to go for their dreams whatever they may be, sporting or otherwise.
Also Im in agreeance with Zac, I haven’t been able to find the inspiring blogs on the everyday heros you describe, but I look forward to them.
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Zac…she also writes about wonderful amazing people such as Ingrid Poulson who survived after her husband killed her father and her two small children. She writes about parenting, its joys, its difficulties and challenges. Stories about how a woman carried on after the death of her unborn child. So yes there is some fluff, but there is also a heap of inspirational, informational stuff too.
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I agree with Therese and Princess Sniper. Time and a place Mamamia!!!! My hubby is into cycling so we watched alot of the race. I don’t consider him a hero but I have alot of respect for him and he has acheived something that many only dream. This guy has fought for 10yrs for this. Every year he has been dogged by misfortune and injury in this race, and finally after showing an amazing level of self discipline, courage and mettle he has achieved his goal. If that isn’t something to look up to then what is? Go have a dig at those so called bogan “footy stars”! Let Cadel have his moment.
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I’ve seen a lot of comments about how kids don’t want to become scientists and doctors when they grow up, they want to be famous athletes exclusively. I don’t think this is true. I mean, some kids would want to become athletes like Cadel, but there are plenty of other good role models. When I was 7, my favourite auntie died of breast cancer, and when I was in primary school I wanted to grow up and find a cure for breast cancer. If someone had found a cure, I would have looked up to them. I do want to make it clear that people like Cadel (while they are good role models for some kids) aren’t what all children want to be when they grow up.
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Totally agree with you and was agreeing with you when listening on the Today show.
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do something outstanding Mia! underwhelming commentary is so boring
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Mia …. please please please ignore all the abuse. I COMPLETELY agree with EVERYTHING you said. This makes me so mad….. I can’t even speak…… no really!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Don’t mean to be rude Mia, but here’s a sample of your bio: Cleo, Marie Claire, New Weekly, Who Weekly and Cosmopolitan…
The diaries of the rich and famous, reporting on the vague nothingness of celebrity.
If you truly believed that people such as Cadel Evans shouldn’t be put on pedestals as heroes, then you would seriously question your previous (and current) employment, wouldn’t you?
I actually agree with some of the elements of your discussion this morning but much of it seemed an ill thought rant.
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Whether Cadel’s a hero or not isn’t the issue and I can totally do without the national anthem, but like any great artist or lifesaving surgeon, what he has done – aside from being an absolutely inspirational example of courage, persistence, and great physical and mental fortitude, is feed our dreams. This idea that it shouldn’t matter because he gets paid is ludicrous and offensively banal. And the idea that he’s not a surgeon and he was doing this for himself is both contradictory and irrelevant. Does the fact that many surgeons have their own healthy egoes and also get paid diminish their contribution to the greater good? And who does more for the world – somebody stapling 5 stomachs a week, or someone who adds an explosion of colour to millions of lives as we hang on their efforts with white knuckles and shallow-breathed excitement. You talk of what Evans has done as ordinary, but it is entirely extraordinary. It’s not right that you’ve been abused for your ignorant opinion because that is exactly what it is – just like someone who can only appreciate art or film or a profound book or a medical miracle in the most shallow manner, your ignorance is the issue, not any kind of malice that might merit the sort of response you seem to have provoked. Cadel Evans, like so many in this year’s peloton, rode with massive heart and courage and really pushed the physiological boundaries of what is humanly possible under conditions of extreme exertion at the frontiers of human endurance. Whether he did that as a professional sponsored athlete who trained 20 years to become an overnight success or as a plane crash survivor surviving in isolation waiting months for rescue or as a doctor working in a remote and poverty-stricken community doesn’t matter. Here’s a guy redefining superhuman in his own particular way and the more we can be intrigued and enlightened by such achievements the better for everybody everywhere.
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Here, here!
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Mia, talk about Monday-itis! Just watched the show and it looked like you and Karl were both a little out of sorts today. Karl probably up late watching the TDF and you ‘just’ being a working mum!! *Sigh* I think Karl was actually pretty hard on you and just wouldn’t let you get away with your opinion…it was not pleasant to watch. I appreciate Cadel’s achievement but it is his and his team, not ‘ours’ and you are so right about so many very serious events happening in the world. Millions of people starving are lucky to make the front page!! I do think and hope that Cadel can inspire people to follow their dreams, whatever they may be and that is a good thing. Anyone achieving their dream is always wonderful, but yes that we express such extreme adultation for sporting achievement is a concern. A population being ‘good at sport’ is not going to get us very far in the future!!
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