Skier’s comments on banned drugs fail to spook sponsors i25, p11, by Brent Baird

The Turin Winter Olympic Games are less than one hundred days away and things are starting to get into gear. Alpine skiing star Brode Miller slipped in an interview and divulged that he was working with Nike on a ad campaign that was to be kept quiet until its scheduled release prior to the beginning of the games. The campaign was to be shot over the first couple weeks of the new ski season, and will focus and have a real feel for Bode. Nike sent a team of marketing and advertising people to spend time with Bode in his hometown to get the real feel of his life and personality.

Bode receives over 2 million dollars annually from endorsements and appearances.

However, it was another comment in an interview that could be the riskiest for Bode. The skier commented that he believes that the banned substances testing done by the International Olympic Committee was too stringent. He also stated that “used in a way…directed by the research that’s out there, even some drugs like EPO could potentially balance the risk of the long-term health problems against the potential gains for not injuring yourself.” This comment has received some stern comments from USOC spokesman Darryl Seibel and World Anti-Doping Agency chairman Dick Pound.

Although most calls to Bode’s sponsors have been left unreturned, there does not seem to be a back lashed coming due to his sponsors.

If the comment was meant to get the attention of the drug enforcement staff, it worked I believe that he will be watched closely for any indications of usage, and most likely any additional comments that would be against testing procedures. I think it is reckless of such a well know athlete to suggest that some of these drugs might be ok to use. While he did infer that it should be done with in a monitored environment (according to research) the comment may still come across as an unofficial endorsement of the substance. Many of the young athletes, or those looking to get ahead and do not the safety resources could put them selves at risk because of such comments. I believe that there is freedom of speech for everyone, but with that freedom comes responsibility, something many professional athletes need to learn.