STEERING HIS LIFE FIRST

Much has been made of that luger's withdrawal from the Olympic competition because of his fear of the course and his lack of confidence in his ability to steer the 4-man bobsled through some of its dangerous turns. That was the same course on which the Georgian luger crashed and died in a practice run, and on which there have been a number of other smashups. :It is interesting that after the fatal crash, the Olympic Committee saw fit to modify the course and add certain safety features. Why? Was it not safe before the crash?

Criticizing comments of the withdrawing luger included:

"He owes it to his teammates...to his country...to the sport...to the spirit and tradition of the Olympics...to stay in the competition."

Horsefeathers. He doesn't owe anything to anyone, except to be true to himself...to live his life as he chooses to live it...and perhaps to do his best to care for the children he brought into the world, until they are old enough to care for themselves. The notion that one's life is owed to others, at the heart of some popular philosophies and all political tyranny, is an abomination.

I heard no one saying the course was safe and his fears groundless...just that he had to get past his fears. One of the ads run on the tv broadcasts of the Olympics included a reference to FDR's "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself"...and, to some, that no doubt gives support for the luger's chastisement. Problem is, FDR's famous and inspiring message went on to define what fear it was we had to be fearful of: "nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror". Not one word has been offered to show that that was the nature of the luger's fear. Quite the contrary. All the expert commentary was that this course pushed its limits to the edge, if not over the edge, of safety.

Russell Baker said "In America, it is sport that is the opiate of the masses". And we know what opiates do to one's senses and judgments.

The luger's courage in adhering to his own rational judgment and standards, in the face of what must have been overwhelming pressure, earns him, in my view, a gold medal.