Skier Bode Miller Leaves U.S. Ski Team
In an unexpected move, Bode Miller is leaving the U.S. ski team. The news came as we also learned Miller's cousin shot and ran over a police officer. Arguably, he was the best skier on the team and had been with them for 11 years.
However, Miller's relationship with U.S. officials was a rocky one. They were unhappy with his conduct that included alcohol, uncensored comments, and partying. Which probably escalated when Miller was shut out of the Turin Olympics after he entered as a favorite. Miller is doubtful he'll ever compete in another Olympics.
Miller told U.S. men's coach Phil McNichol of his decision to leave the team following a meeting at the headquarters of the U.S. Ski and snowboard Association in Park City.
"Bode is a great athlete and we hope he will continue to have athletic success," U.S. Alpine director Jesse Hunt said in a statement released Saturday by the federation. "We had a serious discussion with Bode about his responsibilities as a team member, and he later advised us he was choosing not to join the team."
Miller met Thursday with Hunt, McNichol and USSA president Bill Marolt.
The discussion never got into details of Miller's behavior, according to Tom Kelly, the association's vice president for marketing and communications.
"There have been a lot of specific issues out there — the RV, alcohol issues and so forth," Kelly said in a telephone interview. "None of those were talking points in this meeting. This was about the philosophy of the team, what it means to be a member of the team."
Miller still could compete at the Olympics and other major international competitions, but has said it's doubtful he'll be racing at the time of the 2010 Vancouver Games — and that, even if he is still competing, he would not take part in another Olympics.
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