I’m a proud Aussie and I don’t give a stuff about sport

NSW says:

08:12am | 26/07/11

Good on Cadel for winning the Les stéroïdes en France. Definitely a proud moment for Australia.

According to wikipedia Mia Freedman ...“began her career at Cleo, doing work experience at the age of 19. Her first paid job in media was as Cleo’s Beauty Editor…” - need any more be said?

Mary says:

08:18am | 26/07/11

Mia who

PD says:

08:34am | 26/07/11

Great way to generate hits on your website Mia ...

Stiffy says:

08:38am | 26/07/11

Go Cadel, you champion and sporting hero. Australia has sporting heroes. Cadel is now one of them.

Mad Chatter says:

09:10am | 26/07/11

Mia is of course entitled to her opinion and I’m sure there are plenty out there who agree with that view. However, to shrug it off as just some guy who won a bike race shows exactly why the criticisms were levelled at her.

Cycling maybe the poor cousin to cricket, the footy codes and just about any other sport in Australia. What Mia doesn’t realise is that cycling is the national sport for many European countries and the Tour de France is the pinnacle of cycling.

For an Australian to win the pinnacle event is a big deal. It is the first time in 114 years this has happened so whether you agree or not, Cadel’s effort was heroic. Does that make him a hero? Well only an individual can come to that conclusion by themselves based on their own values. I sure think he is a hero.

I am a sports lover and run a sports blog myself so I guess I have a natural bias. But the patriotic and genuine excitement for Australian success was heart warming when Cadel Evans won. Maybe Mia should read some of these comments to help with her assessment of the situation…. (http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Mad-Chatter/14597098110 )

I wonder whether Mia would think some fashion designer that won an international award or a Hollywood actor who wins an Oscar is a hero??

Come on…..Blind Freddy can tell that Cadel Evans is heroic for what he did. Competing for 21 days on the most difficult terrain is a much bigger accomplishment than sittng on TV and bagging someone.

Elphaba says:

09:29am | 26/07/11

I don’t mind people having an obsessive nature when it comes to sport - the same can be argued for my love of music.

But I certainly don’t think they’re ‘heroes’.  That term is bandied around too easily.  The person who cures cancer - they’ll be a hero.

I hide in plain sight as a non-sports fan.  I absorb enough to conduct a conversation on it, without anyone cottoning on to the fact that I don’t care.  Easy peasy.

brisgirl88 says:

09:29am | 26/07/11

Who cares about sport, I do care about grammar though - it’s ‘compared with’, not ‘compared to’.

Tim says:

09:49am | 26/07/11

There are just as many people willing to denigrate sport in general as there are doing the same to non-sport lovers.
I’ve found that a lot of the time the people who denigrate sport do so because either:
-They were never any good at any physical activity when younger, and got teased about it.
-They have no idea of the effort and determination put in by sportstars to reach the pinnacle of their sport.
-They have no idea of the other good things that many sportstars do when not competing.

If you don’t like sport then I don’t care. If you don’t rub your dislike of sport in my face, then I won’t do the same with my love of it.

Pork says:

09:49am | 26/07/11

Each to their own people!
Any pursuit or interest is as valid as the next.
For mine a hero is a charity worker, a member of the SES, Mahatma Gandi, Martin Luther King Jnr, Nelson Mandela, etc, etc…
BUT anyone who tells me that Cathy Freeman was not a hero that night in 2000 when she ran that 400 metres with this whole country on her back totally misses the point.  Bless that woman for her strength of character to stand up under an enormity of pressure I simply can’t conceive.  She is totally a hero to me.
“she just ran a race” or “he just played cricket” or “he just made a tackle” or “it was just a boat race” or “he only won because the rest of them fell over” are all valid arguments I guess on the surface.  But when the sportsmen represent us - or we feel that they represent us - they become a beacon that says that we might triumph in our everyday drudgery.  The ANZACs widely believed the sporting arena was a far more sensible place to assert our national status than in front of machine guns and maybe thats where our national obsession comes from.  And who can fault that reasoning?  Yes, we may be a bit too obsessed as a nation but a hero is who you believe it to be.  So Mia and Simon, you are right.

Heather says:

10:15am | 26/07/11

I put up with flack from my mother because I watch horse racing (it’s in my blood) but have no interest in the football, which apparently is enough to get you run out of Victoria on a rail! I don’t class sports people as heroes, but I admire Cadel Evans for his strength and fighting spirit. The Tour de France has a history of drug taking, so to have a winner who is clean is a bonus the organisers appreciate. My heroes are the people who risk their lives every day to save people, and the people who battle to make it through each day but never complain. One of my greatest heroes is a woman I’ll never know, a 17 year old girl who sailed from England in 1856 hoping to reach South Australia to start a new life away from the poverty and famine in Ireland, my great grandmother.

Aaron says:

10:26am | 26/07/11

Don’t get me wrong, I think that sporting acheivment has it’s merits, it’s something for kids to look at, admire, and even aspire to in terms of physical fitness and promoting a healthy lifestyle.

That said, I don’t think that sport, or modelling as pointed out above, stars should be heralded as “Heroes,” My view of heroes are our troops overseas, our police who patrol the streets, get scorned and abused and yet keep doing their job, a dangerous one that could result in their death, but they do it to keep us safe. Those guys are realy heroes, not only for their line of work, but also because it’s something that while I find admirable, I don’t believe that I have the stones to do what they do. Real heroes.

Az says:

11:26am | 26/07/11

Gratz to Cadel but, yes, Australian’s are too obsessed with sport.

Being the backwater we are, our tendency to inflate our international sporting successes is inevitable. It’s like the neglected kid at the back of the classroom shouting ‘look at me, look at me’ - it’s the only facet of our parochial lives we have to offer the rest of the world and if you don’t follow the game your somehow not contributing. 

What is still surprising is the blank incomprehension you get from people when you tell them that you don’t support an AFL team (yes I’m from Melbourne).

I don’t hate sport, I’m a participant and a watcher but I’m not enamored or stupid enough to elevate every Aussie winner to mythical, godlike status like so many others do.

Kika says:

11:40am | 26/07/11

I think she was being too precious. Yes, sure there ARE thousands of Aussies out there being real heroes everyday, but it’s not very often we win the Tour De France. We’ve always proven ourselves as a nation via sport because it’s true - lots of the world don’t know much about us (even Europe) and it’s good to be able to stand up and say “yeah! We’re Aussies and we’re better than you!”.

We love our sport and we love winning so a combination of the two makes most of us very patriotic. Every other time I couldn’t give a sh&t and if I see Aussies overseas with their flags and other Aussie rubbish advertising themselves as Aussies it makes me cringe… but on these occasions I do feel patriotic and proud.

Robin says:

11:58am | 26/07/11

Until today I had never heard of Mia freedman. Who is she ??? probably someone whos sense of importance outshines her abilities

Sally says:

11:59am | 26/07/11

I think the argument that Australians get more excited about sport than other countries is not necessarily true. Did you see the Norwegians on the side of the road throughout the Tour getting over-excited about Thor’s performance? Or the French obsessing about getting a stage winner or whether they’ll ever have another overall Tour winner? I think other countries also get excited - we just don’t necessarily notice.

Oscar the Grouch says:

12:05pm | 26/07/11

Marcel Gleffe is a hero. Cadel Evans is not. It’s nice that he won, but it doesn’t make him a hero.

I have never understood the allure of sport. It’s for the most part a bunch of boofheads running around doing something utterly meaningless so that another bunch of overweight beer-swilling boofheads at home on the couch can be advertised to. Big deal.

robert says:

12:18pm | 26/07/11

sport,  yawn

Country Realist says:

12:19pm | 26/07/11

To Mia;  You have a chip on your shoulder because someone has achieved greatness, fame and fortune for something you do not like or appreciate (or not good at).  All you are doing is appealing to some of your followers and perhaps even raise awareness of your own website?  Has Cadel ever spat on your hard work over the years?  He probably doesnt care that you edit trashy magazines.  I have always found your opinions on the Today Show annoying but have made an effort to understand them. Up until now that is.  In my opinion, you have now lost any little credibility you built up and I will endeavour to change the channel whenever you come on!

IC-1101 says:

12:20pm | 26/07/11

To me, a hero can be someone that gives hope, initiates celebrating and leads toward victory.  They make sacrifices to ultimately achieve what very little have done in the past.

If you think you need to like sport to think he is a hero, you’re a very delusional individual.

He tried very, very hard to win what was once considered unwinnable by Australian standards.

He is a hero.

Stunned sporto says:

12:23pm | 26/07/11

Better kids look up to Cadel than Paris Hilton.

Marko says:

12:42pm | 26/07/11

I’m a huge sports fan (I play Aussie Rules, football, go to the gym, I watched almost every night of the TDF, watch every World Cup in every sport possible etc..). As big as they get. No doubting that. However, I do understand where Ms Freedman is coming from.

I’m gonna go ahead and say sports people are considered Heroes as they are the minority who really put their minds to a particular sport (or were just blessed with bucket-loads of talent) and made it in the big time. They are the few who the majority of Australians want to be, who they would do anything to swap jobs with.

However, the people who should be considered heroes are the people who put their mind to a project just as much as sportspeople, yet this project is not sport, rather a degree of some sort, a specific act, a service. Some people that come to mind are Ben Carson, Marcel Gleffe, Oscar Schindler, Superman. They are the real heroes. They went out of their way to help others, no matter what it took and at great risk to themselves.

While we’re on that, why not have a weekly show on a major free-to-air channel (7,9 or 10) that encourages this sort of behaviour or reports on people who have achieved something worthwhile. I’m sure I’d much rather watch that than that horrible 22 minutes of television known as Jersey Shore.

neil says:

12:43pm | 26/07/11

I tend to agree with her, the tabloid media is quick to lable anyone a hero for a few extra sales. The Tour is without doubt one of the most difficult sporting events to win, what Cadel has achieved is epic for a cyclist, but it doesn’t make him a hero.

Winning the F1 world championship is arguably even more difficult, most drivers don’t win a single race in their entire F1 carreer, but it doesn’t make you a hero.

Rob G says:

12:43pm | 26/07/11

Most of us (me included) clowns are writing this from the comfort of our office chairs while dodging the work we have before us for the day.  I’d say not 1% of the people who read this article or comment on it have even the faintest idea what Cadel Evans has put his mind and body through to achieve this victory.
Mia Freedman has no idea of the sacrifice required to be an elite athlete, let alone one good enough to be number 1 in your chosen sport.
Let her have the 15 minutes of infamy this quote will buy her.  If she really didn’t care she wouldn’t have said anything about it… and that would have been fair enough.  But to try and somehow discredit Cadel’s achievement is not only ignorant, it’s stupid.
Thank you, Cadel Evan’s, you’ve inspired this couch potato.

Steve says:

12:49pm | 26/07/11

@Football lover:
Mate, this is Australia. We call it soccer. Always have and always will. There are multiple codes of football played here, of which soccer is one. End. Of. Story.

Davo says:

01:00pm | 26/07/11

This is more a reflection on the sad stuff you guys bother writing about - who cares if this Mia person doesn’t like sport and doesn’t enjoy the nation’s sporting successes - she is only one person out of 22 million whoop whoop

Benson says:

01:06pm | 26/07/11

I’m a proud Aussie and I don’t give a stuff about sport either.

I hate ALL sports and could not give two hoots who is playing who and who won what. But each to their own.

What is the big deal anyway, we all like different things in life.

Live and let live eh.

Ben says:

01:08pm | 26/07/11

I love sport, I live and breathe AFL, the Olympic sports etc and really enjoy Aussie successs, but I LOVE your article.

I do think Mia could have been more complimentary and understood his personal sacrifice and what his ride to success could do for a sports obsessed country who has an obesity issue, but in the end Australian’s are just plain out awful at accepting differing point of view.  You are allowed to not like TDF, you are allowed to not be inspired by it and you are allowed to never watch sport in your life.

To argue differently is plain our un-Australian!

bretto80 says:

01:12pm | 26/07/11

She doesn’t need to think of him as a hero or enjoy sport. BUT she could have said good for him and moved on as opposed to making it all about her. I wouldn’t get on the box and say that I didn’t give a stuff about a medical breakthough or a victory for social justice on the day that it took place just to grab attention.

Peter says:

01:12pm | 26/07/11

I am a competitive cyclist and have been for several years.  But for the life of me, I cannot understand this unhealthy obsession we Australians have with sport.  Its irrelevant, counts for zip and to most overseas observers makes us looks like a pack of immature fools.

Jim says:

01:13pm | 26/07/11

Like ‘beauty’, a ‘hero’ is in the eye of the beholder. The biggest hero in my eyes in Australian history is Sir John Monash (how many people will go, ‘who was he’? And to think he is on each $100 bill to indicate his importance in Australian history…). I see many people as heros no because of their humanitarian aspect, but what they do in their chosen field. Cadel is a hero, maybe his feat will save millions in the future from obesity when they get a bike and start riding through the small amount of inspiration he has thrown our way! It is also a nice distraction from what else is happening in the world at this sad time. If you don’t have something nice to say on someone else’s achievement, don’t say anything at all!

Nicole says:

01:25pm | 26/07/11

I don’t have a problem with Mia not loving Cadel, and I don’t particularly like her, or her work. I don’t care that she doesn’t like sport, and thinks that winning the Tour isn’t a big deal. I actually agree with her, that successful sports people are NOT NECESSARILY hero’s, or good role models. But Mia, if you don’t want to be humiliated on TV, don’t want to be railroaded buy guys like Karl, MAKE A BETTER POINT. Don’t tell us about the faces you were pulling in the makeup room. Support your argument with some evidence, and make a strong conclusion, maybe then people like Karl wouldn’t make a fool out of you with such ease.

Susan says:

01:29pm | 26/07/11

You don’t have to like sport to feel pride in an Aussie cyclist’s achievement. I remember how well thought of heart surgeon Victor Chang was and yet many of us can’t handle blood. Surely being gracious about achievement of a country man or woman is something we can all offer whether we are into ‘it’ or not.

mel r says:

01:35pm | 26/07/11

Mia Freedman’s always been vacuous.
Now she gushes quaint tales about her offspring -  as these women insist on doing.

And also her thoughts on heroes

bobw says:

01:37pm | 26/07/11

Teeth-grindingly trite stuff from Mia Freedman - no surprise, really.  Whenever an Australian athlete achieves something remarkable, it’s almost guaranteed that two stock stories will appear in the media over the following week:

1.  The “goldmine” story:  This consists of a bunch of entirely hypothetical baloney about the future earnings of said athlete.  Typically includes fairly vague quotes from “sports management experts” and/or Max Markson as to the “marketability” of the athlete’s personality.  Exhibit A:  http://bit.ly/oNrUfa

2.  The “not a hero” story:  This is typically driven by some attention-seeking terminal bore of a talking head who has expressed confected dismay because someone, somewhere has reached for the H-word.  Usually the commenter will have little appreciation and/or disdain for the sport concerned, but for some reason assumes that his/her reactionary non-opinion is or should be of interest to the general public.  Exhibit B:  Mia Freedman.

If Freedman thinks she’s said something original or revelatory here - and I hope for her sake that she doesn’t - she’s kidding herself.  So some people aren’t really interested in cycling?  Oh, the penetrating insight.  Why comment on something if only in order to demonstrate that you have no real interest in it, anyway?  There are plenty of sports that don’t engage me personally, but if I had a public platform I certainly wouldn’t be using it to deprecate the athletic achievements of their best and brightest.  In fact, in recognition of my own disinterest (and thus likely ignorance), I probably wouldn’t make comment at all.  I don’t think Freedman has attracted “scorn” because she has “no interest in sport”, but rather because it’s hugely presumptuous to think that anyone should care.  “Aw…  but, but ... saving lives!”  Memo to Mia:  it’s not all about you, and your simplistically contrarian perspective. 

Like some other commenters, I find it somewhat ironic that Freedman made her name editing a magazine dedicated to the glorification of some of most vapid aspects of consumer culture.

Anthony Johns says:

01:40pm | 26/07/11

I just bloody loved watching it! I thought he was brave, strong, incredibly humble and a deserved winner of the arguably the most gruelling sporting event in the world. I have a bike and I know I have been inspired to ride more often and become fitter and healthier. Surely I am not the only one and in a country with an obesity epidemic thats got to be a good thing. I am a proud Aussie and I do give a stuff about sport!

Hermano says:

01:43pm | 26/07/11

Yeh man, I don’t give a stuff about sport either.  I just bloody love riding bikes.

Freedman is a troll, and should be ignored.  This attempt at controversy is a cynical ploy to drive page views, and it looks like most of the Australian public has seen through it.

Sara says:

01:59pm | 26/07/11

Um, when did Cadel say he was a hero?? Just like Mia is entitled to her own opinion so are those who think that winning a Tour de France makes someone heroic.

Why must this be brought up everytime an Australian sportsperson does something extraordinary. I don’t think Cadel is a hero but I think he is an amzing sportsperson, an from what I heard & read an amazing giver to many charitable organisation. He always makes himself availble to Australian media - even after he has climbed some of the hardest & highest mountains in the world.

Mia isn’t un-Australian, she is typically Australian, kncking someone when the on top - tall poppy syndrome at its best.

I think the most important thing is that hero or not, Cadel Evans has done soemthing no other Australian has done - and should be praised & respected for doing so.

Brian says:

01:59pm | 26/07/11

Not caring about sport is fine and in fact 99% of Australians didn’t care a jot about the Tour de France or Cadel Evans (did they even know he existed?) until it became apparent in Saturday night’s time trial that he had won the tour. The tour had been going for 3 weeks and those who follow this great event were losing many hours sleep watching it, myself included. The mountain stages on Thursday and Friday night of last week were fantastic viewing. Anyway, back to the time trial which put Cadel in an unassailable position. Suddenly the Cadel bandwagon, home to only a small number of bleary eyed tour devotees was crushed under the weight of desperate glory hunters who have no idea what or who they are celebrating.  They are the ones to be despised, not those who never cared and still don’t. Suddenly the media found space for him and a crash course in who the hell is Cadel Evans was undertaken. Enjoy the moment, Cadel is 34 and unlikely to win again. His main rivals Contador and Schleck were out of form and in Contador’s case both injured and unlucky. Fair enough, Cadel has had his fair share of bad luck on previous tours and fought like hell for this win, he deserves it. Just not so sure the bandwagon jumpers do. It doesn’t make us a better nation, it doesn’t change our lives. Cadel himself will become a very rich man and good luck to him, the rest of us need to get back to work!

josh says:

02:09pm | 26/07/11

Thank you. I just don’t get it either, he won a sporting event and we’re now talking about a national holiday!

I’m happy for him but call a national holiday for firemen or nurses. I follow the NRL but I don’t expect the country to stop for the NRL or any other sport.

Steve says:

02:11pm | 26/07/11

@Jane2,
Actually, I hear that frequently…

Computer_says_no says:

02:13pm | 26/07/11

I don’t think Australia is different to any other country. If an American or Englishman had won the tour de France, for the first time for that country, the news and papers would be full of it, just like here.

So Mia Freedman (I had to look her up on google too) and the writer don’t like sport, no big deal. To then get upset when she gets a few nasty tweets or e-mails is something she should have been expecting.

I have seen awful comments on just about every subject under the sun, just because people can and like to stir things up.

Even after the earthquakes in New Zealand there were awful comments from some people saying they deserved it. In these times we have to live with things said about us on-line. Either get used to it and ignore it or moan about being “cyber buliied” or the other option is not to look at twitter, facebook and other “social networking” sites.

Benevolent Rapscallion says:

02:26pm | 26/07/11

I agree with Mia. A great sporting achievement doesn’t make someone a hero.

Besides, cycling is rife with EPO use and blood doping, which at the present time is very difficult to detect. EPO is even being used in children who show promise as cyclists and we’ve certainly had some sudden, unexplained deaths in Australia in this group of athletes. So although I love to see Australians do well in sport, I really can’t get excited about a victory in cycling events.

Stephen says:

02:28pm | 26/07/11

I agree that sporting successes don’t heroes make. In the days of professional sport, sports people are mostly workers specialising in sporting events. Some may entertain but most are really in it for the money. Few reach the level where they are able to enterain like movie or TV stars. I enjoy watching the likes of Kournikova and Sharapova playing sports and I regard them as entertainers. But that is beside the point. I agree that only those people who risk their wellbeing in making other people safe should be regarded as heroes. This obsession with sporting successes is making us dumber than we have to be.

Ileeyah says:

02:28pm | 26/07/11

Thank you.  I support Mia’s view on this topic 100%.  Sure, Cadel Evans is an inspiration, he’s a role model in his field and deserves the success of his win after the gruelling trek of the TDF.  He, however, is not a hero.

No sportsman or woman is a hero.  They’re inspirations or role models.  Does this view make me un-Australian?  If being a one sided sports fan who refuses to accept another point of view and abuses those who think there is more to life than sport is the definition of being an Australian, not sure I’d want to be.

stephen says:

02:36pm | 26/07/11

I think Mia’s line of thinking may be right - that the word ‘hero’ is used to describe too often, a person’s talent, or dispostion, or a propensity to waste time on matters of harm and self injury which the safe and suburban might claim as high-risk, but I think Cadel’s effort is so gargantuan, do much hard work and he’s spent so much time trying, that Hero, for him, is apt.
3,500 kilometres on a racing-bike is the stuff of heroes.
(I’m waiting for the Mel Gibson biopic/extravaganza too.)
Folk in show-biz probably get all this ‘hero’ stuff often : from the guy, (or maybe Erick’s girlfriend) who pulls cars with their teeth to Greenpeace riding the bow of a japanese whaler and they sit in make-up (‘make-uuuuuup !’) wondering for an angle that will give another side to an overused analogy.
For ‘analogy’ is what Mia is claiming Cadel is, and of course, saying in effect that he is not the real-deal.
I’ve seen and heard Mia before on telly as she’s bright, but this time she’s wrong.
Heroism is not a concept, but an extraordinary extension of what we want and imagine for ourselves.

Scott K says:

02:40pm | 26/07/11

So What? Obviously you and Mia have never strived to achieve anything in your lives be it sport or otherwise. To hundreds of thousands of kids around this country every weekend who play sport, they would have a sporting hero and see the success combined with the effort it requires to meet those giddy heights, I believe that is a very good goal to have. Cant we just leave the politics out of sport and let the majority of us have our dreams, goals and hero’s and you and Mia can go and have yours?

Lord Hampton says:

02:46pm | 26/07/11

Where are you Mia?  Aren’t you going to join in?  At least elaborate on why Cadel is not a hero, and Jessica Watson is, to you.  Please

Neilhoh says:

02:51pm | 26/07/11

Mia, an oldy but a goody - better to keep your mouth shut and let people think you’re a balloon head than to open it and confirm their suspicions.

SM says:

02:54pm | 26/07/11

The Author
“Something a lot of Australians - especially any Australians who verbally abused Freedman or even thought to do so - need to learn is that people have different opinions to you on sport, and that not everyone likes it or even cares about it.”

Then, given that you don’t understand anything about sport (except that you don’t like it) why do you feel the need to get involved in the discussion?

You don’t need to tell us you’re not interested - just keep quiet and we won’t even miss you.  Just let those who do understand sport celebrate the victory.  Like we let you enjoy whatever it is you’re into without feeling the need to tell you we’re not interested

JD says:

03:08pm | 26/07/11

I totally agree with this article. The sport-lovers of Australia are continually trying to intimidate the rest of us into accepting that disinterest in sport is quite seriously a form of treason. I think sport is fun for the people playing it and can be fun for people watching it. I personally find it boring and find many other things more interesting. That’s my choice and you can choose to be interested in whatever you like (as long as it’s not hurting anyone)! I just don’t think sport belongs on a pedestal above any other hobby that people might have. In my opinion what does belong on a pedestal is science - scientists generally work tirelessly for very low pay to greatly improve our standard of living and the world we live in. They are real heroes!

Paul says:

03:13pm | 26/07/11

Sure its great Cadel won, I was watching him win it too but to say a sportsperson is a hero should be criminal because its not the case, and never will be. Sporting achievements are almost always for personal gain by either money or the recognition. A more worthy label of a hero would be someone who saves lives,police, firemen,  an organ donor maybe?

I personally would congratulate him, its a great achievement(much more than some grown men kicking a ball around could ever be) but after clapping its time to say thats great and move on, not going crazy about it for weeks, months or a national day!

I’ve never been a fan of sport, and was pretty much branded as an outcast at school for this reason and I understand Australia has an extreme sport interest and its placed as way too important. Just look at the headlines sometimes in the news about some football player who hurts his leg, or one who takes part in betting, its pathetic and sad that this news is often put before real news involving human life etc.

Steve says:

03:13pm | 26/07/11

Simon,
I agree wholeheartedly.  I’m a 54 year old male who couldn’t care less about sport and get annoyed when sportspeople are heralded as heros and get paid more than neurosurgeons and heart surgeons.  I too get the blank looks when I start working a new area and get asked the inevitable question - “which team do you follow”

Eddie says:

03:24pm | 26/07/11

I think people need to realize that in the Tour De France, Cadel was riding for BMC and of course.. himself. Not Australia. He was pursuing individual glory.  Yes Cadel deserves the respect and applaud for his victory, but not simply because he is Australian. Had he lost the Tour would he still be a ‘hero’? Maybe yes, maybe no.

A victory for one man is his victory alone.. not the victory of a nation. He may be inspirational to the dreams of a few, and for that reason he could be a hero to some. But his talents and his courage by no means exemplifies this country. He is our first Tour De France winner. The french have had 36. The rest of this nation can admittedly say that we are no where near as fit, if not obese. We consistently have the habit of fostering our pride on the feats of a few talented citizens, which in most cases does not actually show case anything great about our country?

It is not like Cadel states that he could only have got so far because of the never say die spirit that is imbued in his ‘Australian’ blood.

The fact someone is Australian is merely the place where they are born. And if you are to say that people who show great courage and determination are to be labelled as heroes, you would easily step beyond the limits of nationality to find your heroes.

Woppadingo says:

03:29pm | 26/07/11

No actually.  You are not scorned for your antipathy towards sport.  You are scorned for belittling others’ love of sport with your un-asked for negative opinions about it.  You are scorned for belittling people who love sport.
If you don’t love sport, that’s fine - Just shutup and let others enjoy it.

Jane says:

03:35pm | 26/07/11

She is rude because people were celebrating and ejoying his success so her timing was that of a killjoy, a scrooge. Hero is used for sport in general no need for her to make Cadel her scapegoat. Really selfish attention seeking. Checked on her google and seems she makes money for celebrty worhsip, such a hypocrit.  ” Oh look lots of people watching so I will make it all about MOI.” - that is all it was about really.

Igor Lopatic says:

03:36pm | 26/07/11

I don’t like reality tv or soaps so I don’t watch them or talk about them.  I sure as hell don’t write about how stupid they are on Logies night.  This article smacks of “look at me” opportunism.

Is she had have wrote those comments a few months ago no one would have noticed but by bagging bicycle racing at this very time ensured she would ruffle a few feathers and there by get a heap of attention.

Its ok to push your own barrow but to do it on the back of someone else’s hard work is pretty poor form.  If you do not like bicycle racing then don’t watch, write it or talk about it.  Simple.  But that won’t get you any attention.

Claire says:

03:50pm | 26/07/11

If you don’t like sport, don’t watch it. (Watch… I don’t know..Two and half men or whatever)
If you are a kid and a sporting legend encourages you to train hard, stay out of trouble and be your best - isn’t that saving a life? Isn’t that being a hero? Hero’s come in all different shapes and sizes. They don’t all look and act like superman.
Just because Cadel Evans is a hero to some people doesn’t mean he has to be a hero to you.
I think my Mum is a bit of hero.. for personal reasons… I don’t expect some random on the street too. But I wouldn’t want them to diss on her and say she is nothing either.

Also, “they get paid too much”?? I don’t think so. A heart surgeon can be a heart surgeon till they are 65 and beyond. You can’t be an athlete on the world stage that long.  Use your heads people.

And another thing…stopping being haters so much. It gives me the Sh**s. So angry. Chill out. It’s just sport. ANNNND i they want to give us a day off work in honour…ahhh… thats okay by me!

Sheikh says:

03:52pm | 26/07/11

Is it about sports or Cadel’s achivements? This guy has achieved that no other aussie did. Does it matter in which field? He is still a hero (in his field, which is sports).

Man says:

03:54pm | 26/07/11

Does this mean people will respect cyclists on the road more now that there are potential Cadel Evans’ on the roads? No..didn’t think so.

As for defining what a hero is, there are many different types of hero. Cadel Evans is a sporting hero in the same way we praise our Olympic heroes for getting a medal (some lump of metal with scribbly bits on it)...unless you don’t praise them either.

He has changed the face of cycling in Australia and inspired countless by pushing himself to the limits and coming out on top. How is this NOT affecting the lives of others? Just because he wasn’t a hero to some, doesn’t mean he’s not a hero to others.

geoff of Brisbane says:

03:55pm | 26/07/11

I read with interest some of the above and noted no one mentioned why we have so much freedom to wrtie what we think. Was it not our fore fathers who fought for our democratic freedom which gives us the right to say what we think, they are the ULTIMATE HEROES. Mia & the rest of have the right to comment on Cadel, but lets not condemm or criticise him for his name, money etc, he is my heroe for his sheer guts and determination to succeed where no others have. One does not to have to win to be a heroe, a single mum or dad with kids to rear, an oustanding donour, a soldier,someone who saves lives, they are my heroes also. When I completed Kokoda at age 60 I was not a heroe merely someone who finished it. Lets retain our freedom of speech and not criticise those who dont agree with our own thoughts, as they are merely opinions, then we will all be heroes

Sally says:

03:56pm | 26/07/11

Yer nawt Awstrayun until yer got a ute. Bonza.

Robert Smissen of country SA says:

04:05pm | 26/07/11

Who knew who Alan Jones was until he became world champion, Australians only recognise Strayan sports people when they win, other than that they are are better recognised o/s than in Oz, Unless you play one of the Bogan sports that is

Chris says:

04:06pm | 26/07/11

They’re heroes to those who like sport, they’re not to those who don’t like sport, I think everyone needs to get over themselves, this is not a communist country, believe whatever you want, just don’t criticise others for their beliefs, and that goes both ways! And I am a sports fan.

Damo says:

04:28pm | 26/07/11

When and just as importantly, why did Cadel’s acheivement raise the topic of whether he or other people who compete in sports are heroe’s? Why can’t people just acknowledge his feat for what it was? Anyone who knows anything about the sport and in particular the Tour de France, will know just how monumental his achievement is. You aren’t un-Australian for not liking sport, but you are ignorant for not giving credit where it is due, no matter what field it is accomplished in.

Go away says:

04:35pm | 26/07/11

“I dont give a stuff about sport” - You still felt the need to write an article about it tho…

Noob.

Sammy Chimes says:

04:39pm | 26/07/11

she’s bang on - you appluad youre sportspeople far too much - a lot of them are dopey uneducated self absorbed morons.

As for Karl - the guy is a twat who has outlived his usefulness - was he ever useful?

Chris says:

04:48pm | 26/07/11

Lets put this into perspective, Imagine if a leading sports commenatator/reporter/identity said that they couldn’t care less about the latest noble peice prize winner. They would have got an absoloute flogging from the public, Freedman and the like. Lets face it Freeman opened her mouth without knowing enough about the situation. Especially when she went on about being paid millions to ride a bike. I wonder if she knows how much Cadel Evans puts into charities. He has a talent which he uses to his advantage, just like doctors, professors and scientists.

JP says:

04:50pm | 26/07/11

Firstly, Mia referred to Jessica Watson as a hero for her sailing effort. Last time I checked sailing was considered a sport.

Secondly,  I think many people understand Cadel isn’t a hero to everyone & the media coverage can be off BUT it was her surly, disrespectful & dismissive attitude that has ticked people off. She updated her post with an explanation & still failed to acknowledge how incredibly rude she was. I really don’t understand why this self righteous hypocrite gets air time.

I don’t see Cadel as a hero because my idea of a hero is different to others, but if someone see him as a hero & it helps them achieve their goal than I say go for it!

Bikinis On Top says:

05:01pm | 26/07/11

We are meaningless people who say, think,do and praise meaningless things in an attempt to add meaning to our meaningless lives.
We are but a piece of dust caught between the earth and the sky . We are of littele or no consequence.
Sport is just sports shit. . Its crap. Like Finance, Sports produces thousands and millions and billions of meaningless results which try to add meaning to our lives with a sense of eternal change.

Stevo says:

05:05pm | 26/07/11

I don’t like ballet so I don’t go and comment on it. If you don’t like sport, don’t comment on it. Easy enough really

alvin purple says:

05:07pm | 26/07/11

most sheilas, most chicks,most ball less wonders, most birds,  and most broads hate sports.Mostly only maneating barflies,  guys,blokes, macho males, misorgynists,  balls blasters, and poofters love sports.

Alvin Purple says:

05:09pm | 26/07/11

Why do many sports haters always love finance and finacial results?Has finance replaced sports as their daily source of instant results?

Sarah says:

05:11pm | 26/07/11

I’m an Aussie, born and bred and I too, do not give two flying hoots about sport. The most interest you’ll get from my is the Olympics and even then, I don’t care who wins or loses, just the spectacle is a diversion on late night TV for 2 weeks.

Just think all you sports fans - for as much as you care about sport, we care about something else that you don’t care for. So, while you waste your weekends watching Footy and Cricket, I’ll go off and do the things I enjoy - and never the twain shall meet…..

RM says:

05:20pm | 26/07/11

So what you’re really telling us Simon is that you were the uncoordinated dork in the schoolyard who was always picked last, right? Bitter much?

Anne-Marie says:

05:21pm | 26/07/11

I hate sport, except for cycling, but more specifically le tour. Why? it’s gruelling, requires years of planning and preparation, requires teamwork but also individual talent, and is never predictable.
To me Cadel is a hero. He has worked most of his life for his goal, he is the best in the world at his skill, he is a nice bloke who donates to charity and takes his role seriously and more importantly values and demonstrates hard work, dedication, the worth in never giving up and remaining humble in defeat.
These are important characterisitics which are often lacking in those in the spotlight, and I have no qualms about children and others looking up to him to emulate.
It may be simple but for these reasons I think he is someone to applaud.

T.B.F says:

05:21pm | 26/07/11

Ahh tall poppy syndrome strikes again, another no name allegedly so called blogger trying to get some hits.  The MEDIA is the only one calling him a hero so please don’t beat this up like the Freedman women trying to make a name for herself off someone else. Sport is important in this country whether you like it or not. Cadel is NOT a hero, the only heroes I know are the ones serving our country O/S. Cadel has worked for his achievement his whole life, the man deserves some respect.

Tom says:

05:30pm | 26/07/11

As one of the fattest nations in the world i would be trying to promote sport to any child showing an interest. It’s not so much calling Cadel a hero because he’s a sporting person but because right now he is THE BEST in the world at his profession. Many other professions that aren’t sport are also promoted but until they are the best at something they do then there are thousands of people who are just like them and never get recognition. As for Mia she didn’t get her chance at fame because she was the best journalist going around, because she looks good on camera but she is nowhere near the best at that… so is her recognition deserved…

Mr Chitlin says:

05:34pm | 26/07/11

So you dont like sport.  Is standing up and making a public announcement about it supposed to make you some kind of super intellectual.

Declan says:

05:37pm | 26/07/11

Look who cares whether you like sport or not, or you think is a hero or not. Everyone should apriciate the heart and sacrifice that he has put in so that he can live his dream. This is what we should get young people to inspire to instead of paris hilton or kim kardasian. A true person who has worked hard and achieved something.

Gav says:

05:47pm | 26/07/11

I don’t give a toss about sport, but understand many do.

Roy says:

05:50pm | 26/07/11

I also have never had an interest in sport, you want to try living in a country town (sport is all there is to do, if you can’t read) haha, leprosy would be more socially acceptable.
I too, have also had people stare back in disbelief when my answer to “who do you barrack for mate” is “I don’t follow sport”. They usually wander of with a stunned look on their face. But as I did not stuff my knees, elbows, shoulders chasing a ball, I am in quite good health for my age, unlike many of the sporty types I know.
Congrats Cadel, live it up and invest wisely as sporting fame is soon extiguished by the next “winner”

Phil says:

05:51pm | 26/07/11

The billions of people that watched Cadel Evans ride do not really care about shoe shopping either (not the point).

The fact is that Cadel is now a role model for many Australians, he has proven that he has drive, hope, courage, strength and determination, many values that people can use in their daily lives.

The Funny Side is that Cadel Evans will be the next David Beckham and now feature all those glossy magazines that Mia reads, advertising watches, perfume etc,  He just might become Mia’s hero after all.

Sam says:

06:11pm | 26/07/11

Regardless of profession, we all dream. Dream of what we want to do in our lives and dream of what we would like to achieve. Cadel Evans has had his eyes set on this for 20 years. He has tortured his body and he has broken bones all over his body more than once. Two days ago. He achieved his childhood dream. One of the few people in the world who actually does. Mia, I ask you. Are you doing what you dreamed of as a girl? If so. I congratulate you. And you should stand an applaud him. Barack Obama only ever wanted to be a professional basketball player. He wasn’t. Cadel wanted to stand on the top step of the podium on the Champs Elysees and as of two days ago. He did. You don’t have to like sport and bow down to him as a hero. But at least appreciate the message he is sending the younger generations. If you want something. Go out and get it and most importantly, never give up. Finally, you must remember that sport isn’t just a game. Sport is real. The world crosses many geographical, political and religious divides through sport that otherwise may not be possible. Embrace it.

Thommo says:

06:15pm | 26/07/11

The fact remains Mia made it a personal attack on a man, when it was her own industry (media) that had labelled him a “Hero”. {ill informed} “He doesn’t even live in the country” etc etc…..{poor research}.

What the media (remember this isnot the avg Aussie or Cadel himself) should have labelled him as : “Sporting Hero”.

As for the “poor form” analogy to Paramedics, Doctors etc etc that save lives should be more recognised - perhaps it would be more prudent to actually be proactive & empower their causes with her TV time & Blog, than to try & garner cheap publicity with a low brow attack on an amazing individual achievement.

Tall Poppy etc etc

Damon says:

06:48pm | 26/07/11

Not everyone needs to love sport but what annoys me and every other sports loving Aussie is that when one of our countrymen pulls out a miraculous victory like Cadel has done people like Simon J Green and Mia Freedman have to quickly point out that they are so unimpressed and that the real heroes save children from burning buildings etc etc. How about next time there’s a great australian sporting achievement keep your tall poppy comments to yourself and let the rest of us get on with heaping praise on a great Aussie who has just achieved an amazing feat!

Martin says:

06:49pm | 26/07/11

Me too. Couldn’t give a stuff about sport. I was also pretty good at it when I was a kid. Which is one of the reasons why I don’t care about it because compared to real, intellectually demanding work it’s a piece of piss and very much a luxury to be doing it for a living. 

Maybe we should take more of a showbiz type attitude towards sports stars. We like to celebrate when an Australian wins an Oscar but we don’t make insulting statements like they are heroes.

Mia is my hero now. Even though she is an overprivileged yuppy.

JJ says:

06:51pm | 26/07/11

@Sarah (5.11pm | 26/07/11)

I can do that too. Simply change a couple of words and…...

“Just think all you arts/science/entertainment/cooking fans - for as much as you care about arts/science/entertainment/cooking, we care about a SPORT that you don’t care for. So, while you waste your weekends with arts/science/entertainment/cooking, I’ll go off and watch the SPORT I enjoy - and never the twain shall meet…..”

See what I did there Sarah? It’s quite simple. You’re happy doing what you enjoy, and I am happy doing what I enjoy. End of Story.

But no… unfortunately it is not. As there will always be people like Sarah.

Geoff says:

06:58pm | 26/07/11

Mia is simply ignorant on this subject ...thats all there is to it!  THE END

Kel says:

07:20pm | 26/07/11

What is this Tour de France you speak of? A Contiki Tour? I did one once ...

Richard says:

07:46pm | 26/07/11

Quite frankly, as an educated and often sports loving guy, before the Tour (or should I say Le Tour), it was ‘Cadel who?’ and I’d argue that is true for the majority of people in Australia.

Even now, while I applaud his achievement (after all, I can’t cycle worth spit) I really don’t care… Yay. He won a race in France. Up the Frogs.

Do I cheer for the Wallabies in Rugby Union? Yes. Do I think that a World Cup win (seriously… what’s with the Poms winning with a kick…) would automatically make them heroes to me? Nope.

The heroes of Australia are those folk who are struggling to get by, yet give of their meagre takings to help the homeless or the even more struggling. The heroes of Australia are the men and women who put their very lives on the line for others. The heroes of Australia are those who pour there essence, heart and soul into making the WHOLE country better. The heroes of Australia are not sports men and women who get to play a fantastic game, or ride a great ride, simply to achieve something for themselves.

Are they great people? Yes. Do they deserve recognition? Yes. Should they be put on a pedestal? No.

Bob says:

07:59pm | 26/07/11

Cadels effort was honest and straighforward and all he did was try, try again and finally succeed. Hero’s like him are always going to have people like Mia trying to gain a yard of publicity from his efforts without doing any of the work. (as long as she can convince some of her friends to put it into the media.)

Maria says:

08:20pm | 26/07/11

When Mia said on Today ‘he doesn’t even live in Australia’  she lost me.  As a follower of her on twitter and keen reader of her blog, I really had hoped she was better than silly, sanctimonious comments like that.  I do really wonder if she was just sh*t stirring and getting herself a little publicity.  She more than anyone should know that there is nothing better than a good news story

Ryan says:

08:52pm | 26/07/11

What none of you have pointed out is Cadel is a HUGE supporter of Tibet and donates a fair bit of money to schools etc there. He is an intelligent and well read sports star who keeps to himself, doesn’t make a fuss, doesn’t think he is anything other than a regular bloke, and seems quiet / wierd at times. He may not be a ‘hero’ but he is a phenomenal athlete.

Chris says:

09:12pm | 26/07/11

Totally agree with you Simon. I think sports people are overated and definitely not heroes. They mainly achieve for themselves and or team. The real heroes are the people saving lives for the community and by putting themselves on the line day in and day out as part of their job.

Nathan says:

09:51pm | 26/07/11

The way I see it, sport and ‘barracking’ for sports teams is an integral part of Australian culture and no amount of whining on a blog is going to change that. By not conforming to the mainstream of Australian culture by following sport, you are obviously in the minority and as a result leave yourself open to marginalization such as said ‘unaustralianism’. If insulted because you are in the minority makes you uncomfortable or angry, I suggest you make an effort to ‘like’ sport. Because the sad fact is, you will continue to be called unaustralian as long as you are in the minority.

Damon says:

10:08pm | 26/07/11

The biggest issue and problem with Mia’s performance on the Today Show was her lack of facts, poor attitude and understanding of what Cadel Evans had achieved. One example is that he lives in Barwon Heads, however you can’t race as a professional if you live there all year as all the racing is in Europe, and hence his home base in Switzerland. As a professional she should have stuck to facts as opposed to reducing herself to poorly researched and inaccurate opinions, in addition to showing a rude, ignorant and emotive attitude. I don’t know who Mia is from a bar of soap, and my first impressions were rather positive when I first saw her appear on television, as she initially came across as very attractive and professional, however I will now ensure that I never waste my time hearing from this person again.

Bailey says:

11:04pm | 26/07/11

She presented her arguments in an unusual but honest way, She’s not diminishing his achievements ,she’s just explaining to her how the term ‘hero’ in this case is used to in the wrong context, she’s really only pointing out that a hero to her is not someone who rides a bike or wins races, but someone who does something useful. Being a Hero is a matter of perspective, as heroic acts are based on how someone else perceives their actions, her ‘lack of facts’ in this case was honesty, she wasn’t trying to claim she knew anything about the sport just explained how she personally didn’t view it as a heroic act, not saying it wasn’t an achievement.

Jean says:

11:14pm | 26/07/11

I am not so sporty but I recognize success of fellow nation heroes. The point is any success whether you are a fully fledged fan or completely unaffected matters not.the point is that person has achieved a world milestone and should be commended for achievemen. I always remember a so called friend having the attitude that when I commented that my third child had just started to walk as not being a big deal cos I had seen it all before with my other children.

Jackie says:

11:27pm | 26/07/11

Wait. Do people REALLY think of Cadel as a hero, or as simply an example of an Australian who did something very few people get to achieve, on the world stage doing a brilliant job at representing his country???

Dave says:

11:34pm | 26/07/11

The word “hero” is a irrelevant. Cadel is a “champion” for winning the Tour de France.

And a very humble one at that!

Andrew says:

12:15am | 27/07/11

Mia Freedman is a no body who thinks we give a crap about what she dribbles…typical self appointed “spokes-woman” with nfi.
Cadel is an ordinary AUSTRALIAN that has taken on and won a competition against the worlds best riders, the single greatest achievement by an Australian athlete. What has Mia achieved for Australia?

Jon says:

12:26am | 27/07/11

“Shit yeh! I’m Aussie and I love sport! If you don’t like sport you can get stuffed. Sports stars are heroes because they… won sport and stuff! Cadel rode his bike a long way so he’s definitely done as much as that guy that created a cure for cervical cancer. I think they should be labelled exactly the same.” Oh… I’m sorry, that was just the general conversation I overheard by a RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF THE POPULATION. Get a grip people. Yes, Cadel is an amazing athlete and he’s done bloody well to win the Tour De France. I respect him for his sporting achievement, but he is not a hero. The end.

gg says:

12:52am | 27/07/11

I actually met Mia several years ago through work and while I admit she seemed genuinely engaged on the issues she promotes, equal opportunity for women, body image etc, there was an undercurrent of self promotion and a lack of depth. I think her comments werea reflection of her inability to understand the unifying nature of sport than commentary on heroism. The comments were also underpinned by deep double standards. I have read articles on her website where her effusive praise of the latest beauty book rivals the adulation currently heaped on Cadel.

I don’en hurled at her,  I also foundresponse to be

Andrew says:

12:58am | 27/07/11

Cycling doesn’t interest me, But I love hearing about Aussies winning anything, That’s what this is really all about in my eye’s. I prefer the word champion as well. And to think it is just Aussies that are into sport is a little nieve. Has this Mia?? ever seen the Poms/euro’s with soccer or the spanish with motogp?

Pete D says:

01:12am | 27/07/11

Lets all calm down and consider Mia’s comments and return serve flaming in more generic terms.

Instead of discussing Cadel Evens winning a prestigious bicycle race and arguing the merit of one type of hero over another lets say person-X (or person-Y to remain gender neutral) has become the best in the world at foobar (replace foobar with endeavour of choice). Said person has secured a huge achievement for self and country through huge personal sacrifice, gruelling hard work, gritty determination and never give up battler attitude. Said person happens to also exhibit levels of humility and modesty rarely seen in those at the top of their game.

Now “foobar” could represent anything from solving poverty in Africa, curing cancer, a Nobel prize, putting a man on Mars (or Venus) to winning a major sporting event. Ignore what the achievement is, just accept that it has great meaning and value to a section of the community, may present a hero and be a source of valuable inspiration.

Now consider what foobar could be. It could be a rigorous scientific or humanitarian endeavour to make the world a better place or it could be popular culture with entertainment value such as sport. In response to the media headlines praising said person and stirring national pride Mia says “who cares?” via an entertainment channel. It doesn’t matter what foobar is, it could be solving poverty or winning at sport, saying “who cares?” via popular culture channels will get flamed every time.

Sorry Mia, I’m not justifying the flaming you got but it was to be expected.

I get Mia’s general point, sporting heroes are not for everyone, but it’s wrong to belittle world class achievement regardless of what it is. Save the serious commentary for more serious media channels.

Popular culture achievements such as sport on the world stage are easily accessed, easy to celebrate and readily available for hero status and national pride. When we start watching Master Scientist™ and Master Humanitarian Aid Worker™ then we might start seeing more diverse heroes in our culture.

Gibb says:

02:30am | 27/07/11

Lets not go around labeling him a hero yet, he won the Tour, yeah sweet, but do we forget it is one of the dirtiest sports (in terms of drug use) today.  As an Australia I will not call him a sporting hero at least for a few more years.

Rachel says:

03:53am | 27/07/11

You know the term I hate more than anything?  “Un-Australian.”  It’s just WEIRD.

donMac says:

06:33am | 27/07/11

Thank you! You have stated what I have been trying to say for years. Yes, sports people may excel in their sports, but they are not heroes who save lives, or are altruistic giving up personal wealth or possessions to allow someone else to survive. Why do we not remember those who fight or our democracy in armed services, or save those endangered in natural disasters to save the lives of others?  Sports Heros are false heroes, but they are great athletes.  Let’s get it right!

Trav says:

07:03am | 27/07/11

Thank heavens ! I’m an Australian male and I hate sport heros too. They are simply adults that failed to grow upand deserve NO rewarrd from me

Oren says:

07:30am | 27/07/11

Calling people in sport “heroes” and acting as if they are “national” heros is part of the inferiority complex that is entrenched in Australian mentality. Australia is more or less seen as a joke by the rest of the world and Australians feel this very well. Stefanovic’s “I was born in Australia but I can…” statement shows this psyche blatantly. What benefits to the world have Australians made that anyone really knows of? The Australian psyche is just so desperate to cling to any achievement by an “Australian” no matter what it is just to say “we matter”.

sports fan says:

08:27am | 27/07/11

i can look at miranda kerr and see the beauty for which she was recognized in the fashion world, why is it so hard for a person to look at someone like cadel and see his beauty in the sporting world

DD says:

08:45am | 27/07/11

I think Mia has every right to say that she doesn’t think he is a hero.  I am a cyclist and think that Cadel has gone above and beyond by winning the Tour de France.  Hero might be a strong word but he is a “Sporting Hero”.  He also does good work outside cycling.  If you remember 2 years back when he won the World Championship Jersey he actually auctioned it off for thousands of dollars which all went to sponsored children.  Something so sentimental in value was given up for a needy cause.  That is not making him a hero but it does put him a level above most people in this country who will never donate to a needy cause.  Big business CEO’s could learn from this example.

bear says:

09:00am | 27/07/11

Hero –noun, plural -roes;
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…

Pretty sure Cadel fit’s… beating the world has a wee bit of heroic quality about it.

Master Cylinder Pants says:

09:24am | 27/07/11

Mia Who = just another media person.

Denigrating Cadel to get publicity for herself. Pathetic, but predictable.

brereton says:

09:39am | 27/07/11

@bear -exactly the point i was thinking.. Mia (who?) has defined the term “hero”  as someone who has saved a life or done a selfless act etc. What she doesnt realise is that the term “hero” certainly does encompass achievements that others can take inspiration from.. Cadel has done that in spades…  . He is a hero in my eyes and thats all that matters to me.

Jules says:

09:39am | 27/07/11

Bear and some others in this thread have a brain.

Some one shove a sausage in her mouth. What about Cadel’s work with Tibet and half of you people need to learn the definition of a hero.

Cadel MY Hero says:

10:13am | 27/07/11

How do the little kids and big kids like me know if someone doesn’t like football unless they ask the question? I mean Mia has every right not to like sport just like every sports fan also has the right to ask the question “who do you follow?”.

Mia also has no idea of how popular cycling is in Europe. Cadel and his comrades are like rock stars over there. The fact he beat the Europeans at their favourite race on their home turf makes him a hero to me.

Elite sports men and women that give their time and money to charity are heroes.

PS: Those people standing on the side of the road in the Tour were not CG or actors, they were all real fans and there were bucket loads of them on every stage for the entire tour. Mia, I think you should have a chat to them and explain your opinion that Cadel isn’t a hero to them and that you don’t like cycling or any sport.

Dave Grohl got it right too when he sang My Hero.

Chris S/Coast says:

10:26am | 27/07/11

I feel i need to make comment and don’t know where to start.
Every day some one achieves great things in all walks of life, unfortunately some pay the ultimate price in pursuing their goals, and that price is their life.
We would all like to be doctors and save lives but not all doctors save lives we would love to be a barrister and save someone from the death penalty but they don’t always win, we would all love to be the best in a chosen field but only some can, so this is why when some one does do well and achieve the highest honour in their chosen field we should put them on a pedestal and if money comes with that then so be it as we would all love to be millionaires, but guess what we aren’t.
Mia, if you would like to feel that you have done good or saved a life you could donate the money you are being paid for your comments to the Amy Gillett foundation.
You see Mia, we are going to attend a funeral on Friday in Brisbane for a beautiful young lady that lost her life in Italy two weeks ago doing what she loved and that was riding a bike . (Hit by an elderly person )
Now would being a solicitor have saved her, being a doctor could not save her, just because WHO we are does not give cause to be put on that pedestal, it needs to be achieved. Cadel achieved his goal and the majority of people WORLD WIDE appreciate this.
Mia, how many times have you asked yourself, why am i doing this, is it because your passionate or do you really believe your making a difference.
I think you need to have a good look in that mirror and maybe take a look at the segment on Today and i hope you realise that your arrogant and ignorant attitude can be changed with HELP as we have all seen, you need it. The eyes say it all. Carl keep the book and give her a pair of running shoes, a bike, a mouth gag, second thought she would not get it .

kris says:

10:30am | 27/07/11

Don’t like sport, fine, don’t care that Cadel won the tour, fine. Do not bash sportspeople though. Sport is a perfectly noble pursuit. Cadel has been inspiring, dedicated, courageous, has worked within a team and uses his position from time to time to share about things that matter to him like Tibet. So don’t bash sportspeople, they do so much more good than harm. You can bash Australia’s worshipping of sport’s stars and some of the culture that develops around sport. Just don’t be ignorant to fail to recognise that sport does much good in promoting healthy living, in inspiring and in teaching life lessons.

TimmyF says:

10:33am | 27/07/11

Mia Freedman and Simon J Green…Un-Australian!! Cadel you are a HERO to every “real” Australian out there. An amazing effort and nothing will rain on your parade..not even these snivelling “journos” suffering from a bad case of Tall-Poppy Syndrome!! YELL FOR CADEL

Matt says:

10:39am | 27/07/11

These whingers ( Mia Freedman, Simon J Green ) obviously always got picked last at school sports or never had a go when the opportunity presented itself to them when they were growing up. Australia is sport! If you don’t like sport just keep quiet when its talked about. The downers are only nobodys and need to accept that they will always be insignificant compared to some poeple who dare to chase their full potential realise their dreams and become giants in the process…. its very sad that Australia has to bring the champions down so the ones who don’t succeed don’t get hurt feelings…Australia has become a pack of weak whingers !!

Wazza says:

10:39am | 27/07/11

Mia and Simon J Green (whoever they are) are correct, their opinion doesnt make them un-australian or bad people. Neither does other peoples opinion of them being un-australian for it.
The fact is that sports is deeply ingrained into Australian culture.
You touchy feely types all want to have your say but dont like any negativity that may come with it, then keep your mouths shut.
And to point to his name as being strange ??????? Like Mia is a household name!!!
@Peter no it does not give you permission, your just trying to turn the topic sideways and that is pathetic mate.

Maria says:

10:46am | 27/07/11

I love the name Cadel.  I will name my baby - Cadel, whether a boy or a girl:)

And Cadel conquered them all.  Tour de france is the most grueling sport of all.  21 days on the road.  Not even a grand slam tennis or a golf masters can surpass Tour de France.  You have to be the best to be in this sport.  Cadel is a modern day gladiator and whether one likes sport or not, Cadel’s achievement is something that Australians can be proud of.

Alistair says:

10:54am | 27/07/11

The issue the writer is missing here is that it is right to respect the achievement of another regardless of whether they have an interest in the field.  It’s called stepping out of your own shoes and viewing life from another trajectory.  If more people were able to do this there would be much less conflict in the world.  It is selfish and unwarranted to dismiss another’s achievement purely because it is of no consequence to one’s own interests and pursuits.  Yes, Australians appreciate sport and have always done so.  If you do not appreciate sport, fine, but there is no reason for you to pipe up and undermine another’s achievement.  It is simply petty.

matt says:

10:57am | 27/07/11

The people that don’t like sport are people who can not play sport. Being uncoordinated does not mean you are un-Australian. It just means when you run you look funny.

Adrian says:

11:01am | 27/07/11

I sympathise with Mia’s argument. I’ve never understood why people are so into sporting events. They just can’t hold my interest beyond the first quarter! Aside from that though, who am I to tell people what they should and should not like or be passionate about! If you feel that Cadel is a hero, then he’s a hero to you. Please afford me the same courtesy to me for my chosen heroes.

I DO draw the line however when Governments start the same fanatical hero worship of sports. The WA State government is set to spend $1.4 billion on a new AFL stadium for what is essentially a collection of profit making sporting bodies that distribute their wealth to sports people! That’s a lot of cash to throw at a bunch of 19 year olds chasing the modern version of an inflated pig bladder!  Its a populist move but you have you ask, as a society, where do our priorities lie?

Jim says:

11:04am | 27/07/11

Simon saw that Mia got traffic on her blog, so is now attempting the same.

Choose not to worship sports-people, that’s fine. It’s trite to belittle their achievements and rude to be petulant on national TV!

Forget the hero semantics, she was damn rude.

Tim says:

11:05am | 27/07/11

anyone can help the unfortunate. only a few can win the tour.

by the way, he donates to the unfortunate with the hard earned money he made cycling.

Daryl Saal says:

11:23am | 27/07/11

Congratulations to any sporting winner and I respect your hard work and dedication but; I, like others here, find the national obsession with sport to be damn annoying. I wonder how much of our national productivity is invested in training, competing, watching, talking about it at work, sickies, facilities, medical support, and media time. If we toned it down to the level of other countries the resources redirected would provide much needed infrastructure. I can remember working on weekends in a second job while listening to sports crowd noise in the distance, then having workmates who spent their weekend attending the footy whingeing about how I was getting ahead while they were doing it tough.

Gary says:

11:48am | 27/07/11

No one should be abused for their comment however it is understandable that some people get upset when Mia went into her interview without any understanding of Cadel Evans and stereotyped sportspeople as those who do not make a significant change in people’s lives.  Lance Armstrong has done more for promoting cancer then anyone on the planet, he has used his fame from cycling to place focus on a very real issue.  Lance is not alone, Cathy Freeman inspired many including native Australians that they can acheive great things but it doesn’t necessarily need to be in the field of sport.  Mia had an opinion, great, however she was so blase about a significant acheivement to raise her own personal campaign against sportspeople.  If you are a journalist I suggest you grow a thick skin, roll with the punches, do research, and above all keep an open mind.  Her delivery of her opinion gives great insight into the self centred person she is and unfortunately it will damage her reputation as I know that her purpose is to do a lot of good.  Suggest belittering other’s accomplishments either indirectly or directly should be restricted to off air.

Ben says:

11:53am | 27/07/11

I’m a straight American-Aussie 30 year old male and I hate sports! Boring boring boring…

M says:

12:03pm | 27/07/11

Funny how she says “someone who toils at their own expense to better the lives of others”.

Well sport does better my life. And if im not wrong Cadel toiled long and hard not just during the race but over his entire life to get there. That is heroic to me. Not to the same extent as a life saving surgen or a life saver on the beach but its still heroic in my eyes..

I love watching sport and it makes me a lot happier after working all day every day to get by. Watching Cadel gave me inspiration to better my life so i think that counts..

Though i respect her point of view its IMO wrong to belittle achievements even if you dont like sport.

Each to our own..

M says:

12:03pm | 27/07/11

Funny how she says “someone who toils at their own expense to better the lives of others”.

Well sport does better my life. And if im not wrong Cadel toiled long and hard not just during the race but over his entire life to get there. That is heroic to me. Not to the same extent as a life saving surgen or a life saver on the beach but its still heroic in my eyes..

I love watching sport and it makes me a lot happier after working all day every day to get by. Watching Cadel gave me inspiration to better my life so i think that counts..

Though i respect her point of view its IMO wrong to belittle achievements even if you dont like sport.

Each to our own..

Nellie says:

12:10pm | 27/07/11

Do you people really think your ‘hero’ would like to see you treating another person this way? How very ‘unAustralian’ of you to abuse someone for their choice/opinion. So much for freedom of thought. I think Cadel would be horrified by this.

If we all had the same hero then games wouldn’t not be won, medical research breakthroughs would not be made etc etc.
People need to find their inspiration, their heroes, in different places and for different reasons
Well done Cadel for being the first Australian win the TDF and becoming a hero to many.

Well done Mia for being brave enough to share your opinion. There are many out there that agree with you.

Tamika says:

12:11pm | 27/07/11

One size doesn’t fit all right.        Neither does one’s opinion or one meaning. AUSTRALIA IS A FREE COUNTRY, which means to me, that you are free to have your own opinion and beliefs. That’s what I love soo much about Australia. Now, Mia explains that, she doesn’t believe Cadel Evans is a hero. According to her, in order to be a hero you must help someone else. In my opinion, Cadel Evans has helped many Australians, young and old, and people from other countries by inspiring them. Showing them, yeah life gets tough but if you keep at it, never give up and believe, you WILL succeed. Also, by following their dreams; dreams can become true. I read that Cadel Evans has dreamed of winning the Tour de France since he was 14. Now when people have a dream some people (not all, some) say things like, “Keep dreaming, as if that’s going to happen.” But Cadel Evan proves that you can if YOU believe. “I couldn’t be any happier. A few people always believed in me. I always believed in me. And we did it,” Cadel Evans said. Cadel Evans has sure inspired me and helped me to believe that you can achieve if you give it everything you got. I HAVE TWO DREAMS… they are to Help Save The Earth (natural habitat and endangered species) and to be a pro cyclist. Since I am in my senior years there’s so much pressure on what do you want to be. I’ve decided that I am going to Uni to study Zoology or something to do with the environment and do long bike rides to Raise Money For Charities In Need. As I think this will benefit the world not just me. Cadel Evans I believe you are a hero because you helped inspire me to follow my dreams. As Mia said, “A hero must help someone else.” Cadel has helped me. Oh, and I also looked it up in the dictionary. Hero: 1. a man of great courage, admired for his noble deeds. 2. a man who is greatly admired for any quality. 3. the main male character in a story, play, ect. 4. a being of godlike strength and ability. (meanings of hero from The Pocket Macquarie Dictionary). That sounds like… Cadel Evans. Although what Mia has said about everyday heroes should have more recognision, is true. Actually, anyone that does something for you, you should give them recognisition. Even if it’s a simple thank you. eg. “Thanks for cooking tea.” “Thanks for helping me.” Also, Mia gives the impression that she doesn’t care about sport. Sport is so vitual to life, its a fun way to exercise rather than doing your 3 mins of Ab-swing everyday (which is boring). 30 minutes of physical exercise everyday with a healthy diet. Sport in Australia is Australian as vegemite or meat pies or the beach or the kangaroo or havin’ a bbq mate and a beer. I give credit to both speakers for voicing their opinion and I hope someone reads mine. Congratulations Cadel on your MIGHTY achievement. Wishing you all the best. You are an inspiration to us all. Thanks from Tamika <3

The Truth says:

12:13pm | 27/07/11

Mia’s points whilst somewhat valid gravely undermine the achievements of Cadel and the impact his performance can truly have an impact on people. In the end the reason why doctors and lawyers aren’t on the front page is that most are crooks ; overpaid crooks and it’s a bit of an paradox in life in the end ; get better so you can die later…get a lawyer to fix up your problems. Sure playing sports and getting paid too much to do it aren’t really good humanitarian values…but hang on in the end everyone and anyone that’s half normal and civilized without a gun in their hand and war in their country…(and i’m a migrant too…hang on we all are…don’t get me started on that) want that entertainment and symbol / icon / role model. No guy in the end wants to be an unknown office rodent which regardless how OK looking he might be & on 100K a year unless you got swave you ain’t getting anywhere socially with the ladies or exactly anywhere further then your own boring boardroom - men want to be someone else outside of 9-5PM ; women want to be with someone else after 5PM…it’s a social constructed thing.
Cadel is such a soft spoken person; almost naive in his demeanor and a true showing of grit and determination is what it took to bounce back twice from 2nd place in the Tour and I won’t even go into the cancer conquering Armstrong as a point of what it takes to do this bike thing. He lives in Switzerland because that’s where elite people that quite possible are cultured, educated and know how to make money live…stop hating; the best Mia could get here is Elwood. I don’t like cooking; doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate people who cook on TV shows ranked #1 in the country. I don’t go around saying contestants/chefs are just ppl obsessed with eggs & bacon.
Karl made a valid point to Mia; go read his book 1st…see people here play too much PS3; not enough reading of proper topics to get informed.

Rouben James says:

12:28pm | 27/07/11

She’s allowed to not care about cycling, or any sport in general. Sports are important to some people, economics are important to others. Its not to say either is right. No one can belittle another for their interest

Personally, I play 3 different team sports a week and love them dearly, but i’d rather bash my head into the wall than watch sport. That doesn’t mean those that do are wrong, just that their lives are boring.

Reid Wright says:

03:58pm | 27/07/11

to say she didn’t care isn’t cool.
I preferred Cadel won the Tour but if he didn’t win it i wouldn’t bat an eye lid. He won and i was glad. When Heath Ledger was nominated for an oscar, i wasn’t overly thrilled as it effected my life in no way. But i was glad when he won. I don’t care for cycling or acting but because i’m Australian I care when another can stand out and respresent our country at the highest level in an international domain.
To not care IS unaustralian, as some part of you should be proud when Australia has massive success in any field.
I’m pretty sure there are several young Australians who would consider Cadel their hero, and who is she to deny him that priviledge ?

Bogan says:

04:03pm | 27/07/11

Australians only care about sport when they win.  You can see this by the positioning of items in the news, Win and its in, do not win and it is at the end or not even mentioned. Far too much exaggeration and hypebole in the comments. There are no icons, no heroes and no legends in sport just quality performers.

rl says:

04:37pm | 27/07/11

It’s fair to criticise the nationalist jingoism associated with modern sport but ignorant to dismiss its worth altogether. The role of athletics in education and the development of a nation’s character goes back to Plato’s Republic. In the case of something like the Tour de France victory is as much a test of character as physical ability

Peter says:

11:06pm | 27/07/11

I love sport, but it’s cool if you don’t, it does not make you any less of an Australian.    But I have to ask why are you so angry ????  Feelings of inadequacy maybe ????

Let go of the anger, it’s not good for you.  Sleep tight.

Amber says:

08:12pm | 28/07/11

I watched the final day of Le tour in NZ which televised the entire 4 hours including the first part of Cadel’s podium speech that was in fluent FRENCH!  Blew me away!  I have never see it on TV here in Oz and I can’t help wondering why?  Too confronting to see a tough-sport Aussie, appearing cultural and genteel?  Too confronting to our other, generally rough & ready sportsmen?

Cameron says:

02:32pm | 29/07/11

I am a cycling fan and I agree with you. I watched every stage of the Tour de France (as I do every year) and I’m glad Cadel finally won. But I don’t think he is a hero - he is a cyclist.

What annoys me are these nationalist idiots who all of a sudden think we should have a public holiday because an Australian won the Tour de France. Before the second last stage no-one ion the mainstream media mentioned Cadel and I’m sure most of the mainstream public didn’t even know who he was. Cadel has been working hard for 20 years for this and good on him for succeeding. But he didn’t do it for us, he didn’t do it because he was vying for adoration of a nation - he did it because he’s a cyclist. All professional cyclists want to win the Tour de France. And guess what: someone wins it every year! When Cadel came second in 2008 was he showered in glory for almost winning what is the probably the toughest race in the world? No, Australia went: “pff, can’t even win the Tour de France. How un-Australian!”

I love cycling and I kinda hate that it’s been ruined by all these bandwagoners who now think Australia is the best in the world at yet another sport. It almost makes me wish Cadel came second again

AM says:

07:16pm | 29/07/11

I’m not into any particular sport either but why did Mia say not once but twice that “Cadel doesn’t even live in Australia.”  Alot of athletes have to live overseas in preparation for an event, here in Australia we get lots of swimmers, besides Cadel has a home in Barwon Heads if she chose to actually find out anything about him.  Fair enough that you don’t like “sporting hero’s” but don’t start putting stories out there that are simply not true. When the world is not such a nice place, sport can be the outlet that people can feel part of and when reward is seldom never their own. A sense of pride and achievement can be felt.  Well done Aussie : )

Jodie says:

08:59pm | 29/07/11

“You shouldn’t attack that person or make them feel bad for it” (see above story). Isn’t that what Mia was doing to us proud ‘sport-loving’ Australians? Hmmmm. Another interesting quote from AM: “When the world is not such a nice place, sport can be the outlet that people can feel part of and when reward is seldom never their own. A sense of pride and achievement can be felt.

Zen says:

09:54pm | 29/07/11

FINALLY. A debate about Australia’s over-obsessed sports culture. This love of sports that many Australians have tend to over look other achievements Australians have made in differing areas such as arts and literature and music.It would great to see front page news articles of people who won the archibald art prize or a singer or a fashion designer. Take sweden for example, its song selection for the eurovision song contest is the most watched tv event,and when sweden competes in the eurovision song contest ,many swedish are wrapped up eurovision-fever. It would be great if Australia could ever pull off any tv-ratings for ANY artsy show and acknowledge its achievements in other arts but sport and also downgrade the attention sports gets in the media. To be honest, im starting to get sick of all this sport attention and its starting to turn into jealousy.Nevertheless, i love being Australian,everytime i go overseas i can proudly say im from Australia,but it would be great if when im overseas, someone doesn’t asks about rugby or sports in general but asks questions about Australia’s achievements in others areas such as arts,literature, and music.

Jersey says:

11:37pm | 29/07/11

I think, as Australians, we are all proud of our guys and girls who go out and achieve great things - whether or not we follow sport/science/movies/models - we’re Australian, and we should stand and shout out louder that we are a proud nation in all aspects of life!

JB says:

01:20am | 30/07/11

How does belittling Cadel’s achievement with a flippant ‘“Who cares?” advance Mia’s argument about recognising those she deems worthy of adulation? Can she not appreciate Cadel’s success and be happy for him (and the joy it brought to millions of Australians) whilst still holding her belief that others in society may be more worthy (in her eyes) of such publicity?

If I don’t have an understanding of what a particular scientist has done to win a Nobel Prize, do I need to belittle the achievement with a “Who cares?” Why can’t I just be happy for the individual, proud to be a fellow Australian and move on? I may personally derive more pleasure from Cadel’s achievement than the scientist’s, but that doesn’t mean I have to take a cheap shot at the Nobel Prize winner on the way through.

Cadel has never asked to be considered a hero or a role model. In fact, he has publicly expressed his genuine surprise that so many people DO actually care about what he does. So why take a needless cheap shot at him to make your point?

A far less inflammatory/attention-seeking approach would have been to politely congratulate Cadel and then make a constructive point about how nice it would be to see others in the community receive similar recognition.

But I don’t think that’s what Mia had in mind - there’s much less controversy/publicity that way. She knew what she was starting and admitted as much throughout. It was a classic ‘shock jock’ play - one of the oldest in the book. Bash a populist view to arouse the masses.

The whole argument about our ‘faceless heroes’ (scientists, emergency services personnel etc) not receiving public adulation is, quite frankly, naive for someone professing to be a commentator on social issues or public opinion.

Like it or not, sport captures the imagination of the masses and brings joy to their lives. As noble as Mia’s preferred pursuits are, they simply don’t engender the same pleasure and interest - rightly or wrongly, that’s just a fact.

And like arguing why all sports aren’t treated equally (why do our football codes get so much more attention than the plethora of others?) it comes down to market reality - if that’s what people are interested in, that’s what rates or sells papers and therefore generates revenue.

Sport stirs the masses. Nobel Prizes (as worthy as they may be) do not. Nor does what you might term ‘everyday’ acts by our emergency service workers. But something exceptional (mind-blowing rescue against the odds) often does make the news. Why? Because people will be interested in the out of the ordinary - like an Australian winning the world’s most famous bike race.

Have any of the other races Cadel has won over the years made the news like this? No, not even his World Championship in 2009. He’s had 20 years of being overlooked, just like the Nobel winners. But he’s done something here that captures the public imagination because of the magnitude of the specific race and what it means to the general public as a new frontier to be conquered.

It’s no reflection of whether it’s any more or less worthy than developing a new vaccine. It’s simply a commercial reality of what is going to get people more excited.

If an Australian one day cures cancer, they will receive the same adulation as Cadel has, if not more. Why? Because it will get people excited and engaged en masse.

And as for Mia’s whine about “He doesn’t even live in Australia” - how dare she or anyone else challenge someone else’s patriotism on the basis that they live overseas?

I live overseas after receiving a once-in-a-lifetime job opportunity that is simply not available in Australia. Does that make me any less Australian? I love my country as much as anyone and, like Cadel, return home to visit whenever possible. The tyranny of distance, if anything, tends to make you love your country even more.

Cadel’s work (like many other athletes, entertainers, scientists, philanthropists and others that Mia may deem worthy of hero status) necessitates him living overseas. It’s a hell of a commute to work daily from the other side of the world.

She has no right to cast judgment or belittle anyone on the basis that they “don’t even live in Australia.” What a stupid off-the-cuff scrambling aside to a broader ill-conceived position of deliberate controversy (it barely constitutes being called an ‘argument’).

But having said all that - well done Mia. You did exactly what you set out to do. It’s just a pity you had to take a cheap shot to do it, but if that’s as much as you can bring to the table to try and be a relevant voice, then so be it.

Leon says:

08:58am | 30/07/11

To paraphrase Mia:
Mia is a woman who gets paid a lot of money to run her mouth.
What she doesn’t understand is that to many kids people like Cadel is a hero. OK, so he didn’t save someone’s life by performing heart surgery, but he will inspire thousands of Australian kids to be outside on the push bikes wanting to be like him. As soon as a kid aspires to be like a sportsman then, yes, they become a hero.

Noely says:

10:31am | 30/07/11

Mia was obviously typical of the modern age media.  She got her 5mins of fame to bump up her pay on what she knew (see previous tweets) would be controversial.  I agree that the term Hero is mis-used & over-used, Mia herself is guilty of it, though the MEDIA are the people who bandy it around, not the average public.  I don’t care less about cycling, though hearing how grueling that race is, and how hard it is to win without drugs, and the years taken for Cadel to get there, he deserves an enormous amount of respect for that achievement. 

The high & mighty attitude with which Mia just dismissed that is despicable.  With all the awful news we are constantly confronted with, to celebrate an achievement by one of our fellow countrymen is a nice change and harms no-one, may even encourage more to get off their butts, so what harm is that?

Yes, there is too much focus on sport in this country, again, a lot of that is generated by MEDIA, though having said that, we always here about the huge amounts of money sports people earn, AGAIN perpetuated by the media, though we don’t hear about the the number playing who don’t…  Considering in the likes of Rugby League the average playing career is 3.5 years?  A very small time to earn a decent amount of money?

Regardless of whether you like sport or not, the fact that it is one of the few things in the country where we are ALL Australian is lovely, I would rather have that as our community pride instead of the ethnic, racial or religious issues that other countries have?

If the likes of Cadel winning perpetuate that as a sense of national pride, well I will take that over the other any day.  Well Done Cadel!

Milly says:

12:26pm | 30/07/11

The only hero’s I know of are dead because they have given their lives so that others can live.  Cadel is an Aussie champ through and through, but hero? Fraid not!

Larry lounge lizard says:

02:57pm | 30/07/11

I’m with you Mia, and I think, ???, there is a TOO big deal made over sports.

Jeff says:

12:14am | 31/07/11

Cadel Evans might not be a hero to you but that is your choice. He is a hero to me and as all people do I will talk about things that I want to talk about and I will follow the interests I choose to.

You can make your own choices and I will make mine. I will let you celebrate and not get in your way when you want to so why do you choose to spoil mine.

So next time something she enjoys comes on we should all make stupid comments about it instead of wishing her well and keeping out of it, but doing this only draws us down to her level.

So instead of being negative why dont we be positive and celebrate what we choode to for no reason and let other celebrate what they choose to with out being negative. Mia, you don’t have to like sport, you don’t have to think sports peoples are heros but why are you making out that I am doing the wrong thing because I choose to.

I am not angry you dont follow sport, I am angry you are negative towards me because I do and because I am now being negative because of what you have said.

So if you don’t want to follow sport, dont but stop telling other people what they should do. Who do you think you are the boss of other people???

R says:

01:13am | 31/07/11

I agree with Mia..sport is overrated compared to medial and technological advances. However, in terms of watching ,the politics and the shear demands of one person over 3000km there is none other than the Tour de France.

I do not agree with bashing cycling. Why not bash and have a go at Aussie rules and football?

Stu says:

10:40am | 31/07/11

If you dont like sport then you simply cannot call yourself a proud Australian your more like some weird throwback whom the rest of us couldnt give a toss about because you clearly have no idea.

kiki says:

04:01pm | 31/07/11

Cadel achieved something that no other aussie has before and I congratulate him for it. He is a Champion and his achievements will inspire other people to have a go at achieving their dreams.
Sure loads and loads of attention is put on sportspeople in the media but that doesn’t mean u have to be a sports fan in order to be considered normal. This country has more going for it then just sport. If u are not a sports fan just spend your time in galleries or do something else and leave sports fans to play or watch sport in peace.

Cameron says:

05:05pm | 31/07/11

My issue with all of this debate, is that everyone, Mia Freedman included; is missing the point.
It’s not that we over report, or over hype the amazing achievements of people like Cadel Evans, it’s that we under report and under-rate the amazing achievements of people like Professor Ian Frazer(and other Australians).
I don’t think we should be trying to take away from the likes of Evans, he is a hero to many(and deservadly so).
In saying that, the media need to work a lot harder at giving all the amazing achievements of Australia’s a good dose of reporting.
Why was Prof Frazer not on the front page on SMH?  It’s not Cadel’s, or cycling, or sport’s fault he wasn’t.
It’s the SMH editors fault. All the media should stop blaming sport, and start blaming themselves, you are the ones that feed us this crap after all.
Better Evan’s as a hero that the likes Paris Hilton after all, one must always be careful what they wish for.

Carter says:

04:42am | 06/08/11

Wow, I don’t think Mia realized what she was doing when she started bashing the winner of the TDF!! I’m someone who trained for many years to try and compete in this incredible race.  I have a bike shop and I still ride everyday and wish that I had one more chance to try to race with those guys.  My life has been about bikes for as long as I can remember, I even have a car wrap on my vehicle for one of the bicycle accessory companies.  I get what she is saying though, it all depends on what you are into that determines who your heroes are.  She just isn’t into biking, and you can’t hate on her for that.  JMHO!

herniated says:

07:14am | 17/02/12

. Wonderful zer eta da definitly bat comment from me merezi. Izan duzu Irabazitako leialak fan bat.