Comments on: Are sportspeople heroes?

By: You Are What You Tweet | Social Media Marketing Agency Sydney | Tick Yes Blog

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 02:24:06 +0000

[...] shamings of recent times have taken place on Twitter. As Mia Freedman, who last year received all manner of vile threats via Twitter for daring to suggest that Cadel Evans was not a hero after winning the Tour de France. Catherine [...]

By: 12 Posts of Christmas: In Defence of Mia Freedman. « The Early Bird Catches the Worm

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 22:35:20 +0000

[...] Mia Freedman’s copped it pretty hard in the media the last couple of weeks, ever since her comments about Cadel Evans and sports stars being held up as heroes. [...]

By: Watching sport is like watching paint dry. Discuss. | the fountainside.

Watching sport is like watching paint dry. Discuss. | the fountainside. — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 20:05:48 +0000

[...] pride – I’m all for that. I wouldn’t even go as far as Mia Freedman did, when she poured cold water on Cadel Evan’s cycling win by claiming sportspeople aren’t real heroes (though I did [...]

By: On the (Rest of the) Net. « The Early Bird Catches the Worm

On the (Rest of the) Net. « The Early Bird Catches the Worm — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:16:05 +0000

[...] Mia Freedman’s stirring the pot this week! She writes on Cadel Evans’ Tour de France win and if sportsmen should be considered heroes, the News of the World phone hacking scandal, and runs a guest post by Tony Abbott on why the [...]

By: Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! | TAWNET

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! | TAWNET — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 05:13:08 +0000

[...] the hours afterwards, she penned a blog on her website: “Are sportspeople heroes?” she asked. This is how she answered her own question: [...]

By: Not everyone loves CADEL.

Not everyone loves CADEL. — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 09:42:20 +0000

[...] [...]

By: Scott

Scott — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 08:17:11 +0000

Good on you, Mia. Sport is a great, group hug for some, but not everybody feels that way. And it’s no great cultural faux pas that we don’t. I regret the public lynching you’ve experienced as a result of simply expressing your opinion – THAT’S unAustralian. Chin up.

By: Renee

Renee — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 08:09:23 +0000

I think there are many types and definitions of heroes. We have everyday heroes who work for the good of others, and those such as Cadel, who lead by example.
If anyone knows anything about the Tour de France they would know how much of an achievement it is to actually finish the race, let alone win it like Cadel has done. He has climbed mountains and he inspires others to do the same. I am currently completing my HSC and witnessing Cadel’s triumph has given my that spark of motivation to keep going and push until the end.
To say that sports people are only after glory, fame and money, is a gross stereotype. You don’t hear about the vast majority of cyclists who give up everything to become professional. It is a hard and tough slog to work your way to the top or even just get on a team, and the money paid is far from appetising. Speaking from experience I can say how brilliant it feels to cross the finish line after you’ve just completed an extremely tough race or ride. And no one knows who I am do they? But that doesn’t bother me. I feel so proud just to have succeeded in my personal endeavours. Cadel’s sense of personal achievement would have surpassed all others when he stood on the Champs Elysees podium, and he shows all Australians how it is possible to live your dreams.
I am not condoning any of the abusiveness that has been directed towards Mia Freedman, but Ms Freedman I think you come across as grossly ignorant. I would strongly encourage you to read Cadel Evans’ book, and also the books of other sportspeople who have overcome hardship to get to where they are today. They may not save lives like doctors and firemen, but they do put a bit more spark and enthusiasm into the lives of Australians, and inspire people to live their lives with a bit more positivity and ‘oomph’.

By: Grahaml

Grahaml — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 08:09:21 +0000

Freedman on Jessica Watson

I am genuinely in awe of her achievement. Back when she set out on her voyage, crashed on the first night and then set out again, I was a doubter. I still am a little bit. 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.” – When I was 16, I got my ears pierced, suck on that Jessica Watson (May 17, 2010).

By: HAHA

HAHA — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 08:03:29 +0000

“Did he save a life?”… he might actually gave someone inspiration and motivation to keep fighting through sickness or hard times.

I wrote more but decided it would be wasted after watching the video again.There is so much one can say, but your comments on the show…geez! “He lives in Switzerland.”…are you serious, what does that matter? Riding around Sydney would propably not help to win the Tour.