Help get Mia Freedman on a Bike
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Help get Mia Freedman on a Bike
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Wednesday, 27 July 2011
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I spite of recent events surrounding Mia Freedmans outragous comments about the Tour and in particular Cadel Evans, I really think we should all feel sorry for her.
We should feel sorry that she's clearly never felt the surge of adrenaline when you exert yourself during a sporting acitivty, never felt the rush of excitement at the thought of participating in your favorite sport..
Far more importantly she's clearly never felt the sensation we all know about the wind on your face, wheels beneath you and a sweet trail/road/path at your disposal.
So, here's what I say... I reakon we need to get poor Mia on a bike. In fact I think she should become the face of cycling in Australia. Goodness knows that for all her shortcomings, she does look lovely on the telly!
Cmon Giant, you can help too... who's with me? Let's start a petition.
GIVE MIA A BIKE!
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Wall
sent link to this group in a tweet to Mia .... but no response unfortunately :(
681 days ago
So how do we feel about Cadel on the cover of the very magazines that Mia is so shamed for having on her CV? Cadel love of his life on at least two glossies.....oh dear.
OMG I really hope they don't sell coverage of the Tour to channel 9. That would really break my heart.Anna Kanook on Wednesday, 03 August 2011 19:49
OMG I really hope they don't sell coverage of the Tour to channel 9. That would really break my heart.
Anna Kanook on Wednesday, 03 August 2011 19:49Thank you zen. (deep breath) Le Tour will forever be on SBS
687 days ago
Ignoring the outrage, I chose to read Mia's response in the paper this weekend* and have to admit that I think that she's been given a bit of unwarranted abuse.
So, she's not a cycling fan, so what? I'm sure that there are plenty of other Australians that feel the same way, just as there are plenty that wouldn't be too interested in other sporting individuals or teams.
Does it make someone "Un-Australian" if they didn't follow the Socceroos at the last 2 World Cups? Probably not, as I imagine that there would have been loads that didn't show any interest in a sport they'd never followed before.
How about following the Wallabies in the up-coming Rugby World Cup? Everyone is aware that the Rugby World Cup is imminent, aren't they? Of course we all are, surely it would be "Un-Australian" to not be.
Mia made the point that real heroes are the ones out there working in other roles (eg. Nurses, Doctors etc.), something that I would imagine Cadel Evans would wholeheartedly agree with. And for that she was castigated by Karl Stefanovic. Now, I don't watch much Channel 9, but can anyone tell me if they've ever detected much pro-cycling bias from Karl and his fellow Today presenters? They've always struck me as the sort to don a Green & Gold scarf whenever an Australian sportsperson or team does something spectacular on the international stage, then return to ignoring them once the event is over, or when the aforementioned person or team has been eliminated. Where was the hyperbole when Cadel came second in the TdF for example? Isn't that still a monumental event? Can you imagine the New Zealanders giving a collective "Meh!" if one of theirs got themselves onto the podium in Paris? No, neither can I.
So, much as I would like to see Mia on a bike (see my earlier comment here about her legs, I still stand by that!) I do think we need to have a bit of perspective; Cadel did great things in France, but we shouldn't have a go at someone for not displaying a fervent interest.
Personally, I'd rather take offence at the types that have gone all "Oi! Oi! Oi!" about Cadel since the TdF but who couldn't tell you his name a month ago, and who still insist on hating on us regular cyclists for "not paying tax" or having the audacity to get through heavy traffic faster than them.
*Mia's article:
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/mia-culpa-cadel-evans-and-my-week-from-hell-20110730-1i5lx.htmlAnna Kanook on Tuesday, 02 August 2011 23:06Dave Lang on Monday, 08 August 2011 15:21
Chris Rosvall on Monday, 08 August 2011 22:26Anna Kanook on Wednesday, 10 August 2011 09:49Tim Grey on Tuesday, 16 August 2011 18:30
So, she's not a cycling fan, so what? I'm sure that there are plenty of other Australians that feel the same way, just as there are plenty that wouldn't be too interested in other sporting individuals or teams.
Does it make someone "Un-Australian" if they didn't follow the Socceroos at the last 2 World Cups? Probably not, as I imagine that there would have been loads that didn't show any interest in a sport they'd never followed before.
How about following the Wallabies in the up-coming Rugby World Cup? Everyone is aware that the Rugby World Cup is imminent, aren't they? Of course we all are, surely it would be "Un-Australian" to not be.
Mia made the point that real heroes are the ones out there working in other roles (eg. Nurses, Doctors etc.), something that I would imagine Cadel Evans would wholeheartedly agree with. And for that she was castigated by Karl Stefanovic. Now, I don't watch much Channel 9, but can anyone tell me if they've ever detected much pro-cycling bias from Karl and his fellow Today presenters? They've always struck me as the sort to don a Green & Gold scarf whenever an Australian sportsperson or team does something spectacular on the international stage, then return to ignoring them once the event is over, or when the aforementioned person or team has been eliminated. Where was the hyperbole when Cadel came second in the TdF for example? Isn't that still a monumental event? Can you imagine the New Zealanders giving a collective "Meh!" if one of theirs got themselves onto the podium in Paris? No, neither can I.
So, much as I would like to see Mia on a bike (see my earlier comment here about her legs, I still stand by that!) I do think we need to have a bit of perspective; Cadel did great things in France, but we shouldn't have a go at someone for not displaying a fervent interest.
Personally, I'd rather take offence at the types that have gone all "Oi! Oi! Oi!" about Cadel since the TdF but who couldn't tell you his name a month ago, and who still insist on hating on us regular cyclists for "not paying tax" or having the audacity to get through heavy traffic faster than them.
*Mia's article:
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/mia-culpa-cadel-evans-and-my-week-from-hell-20110730-1i5lx.html
Anna Kanook on Tuesday, 02 August 2011 23:06Sorry wallabies are whirling rugs by what? I agree that the sudden interest in Aussie cycling is remarkable (great but..) A few years ago I was pretty hard pressed finding anyone who didn't work in a bike shop to talk to about the Tour, and now... it's like half the country has been avidly following the sport for years.
Dave Lang on Monday, 08 August 2011 15:21her comments have some merit, agreed. But it was a fairly brash comment to make and just seemed very obvious she would create media exposure for HERSELF .... and that is just a little bit pathetic if you ask me.
Chris Rosvall on Monday, 08 August 2011 22:26@ Tim... I think you left out the most important element of Mia's ill informed argument on morning television appearance ... Apparently Cadel isn't an Australian because he lives in Sweden.
Anna Kanook on Wednesday, 10 August 2011 09:49There's an awful lot of performers, etc I'm sure she'd be happy to call Australian. Kylie, Elle, Hugh countless others
Tim Grey on Tuesday, 16 August 2011 18:30I hadn't realised that she claimed Cadel wasn't Australian, that does appear a little short-sighted, especially if we take into account that a cyclist can't really compete at the top of their game from a base so far away from Europe. Like an actor can't really hope to be a huge success without trying their luck in Hollywood; or a model in Paris or Milan; or a soap star at the London Palladium for Panto season...
688 days ago
Mia's writing background tells me that this person does not understand the sacrific, patience, life style, pain and many other factors a professional sports person endures to achieve the supreme result. Mia may argue what I write here as I do not know this women but Cadel's effort has invigorated my interest in cycling and fitness along with my three children in my photo (although two of them are a bit young yet).
My eldest, 5 nearly 6, watched some of the TDF with me last year and this year and takes interest in my photo's when I rode MTB cross-country competitively. They say that a family that is involved in sport and then the children have that family culture instiiled within them perform better at school.
Sports people are one of the only sources of true sporting inspiration required to achieve the result desired. Cadel certainly has sporting heroes he draws mental and maybe even physical power from to perform at the highest level and win.
I say unfortunately Mia does not deserve a bike. Her comments are an Aussie let down. There are many other people associated with other sports that agree Cadel's effort is nothing but sensational. Go Cadel and Go Aussie!!
My eldest, 5 nearly 6, watched some of the TDF with me last year and this year and takes interest in my photo's when I rode MTB cross-country competitively. They say that a family that is involved in sport and then the children have that family culture instiiled within them perform better at school.
Sports people are one of the only sources of true sporting inspiration required to achieve the result desired. Cadel certainly has sporting heroes he draws mental and maybe even physical power from to perform at the highest level and win.
I say unfortunately Mia does not deserve a bike. Her comments are an Aussie let down. There are many other people associated with other sports that agree Cadel's effort is nothing but sensational. Go Cadel and Go Aussie!!
688 days ago
Don’t give Mia a bike give her a week with professionals. Show her the struggle, the effort and the sacrifice that it takes to be an elite athlete. Perhaps this would show her that Cadel is not just someone guy that rides around a bike……..perhaps.
688 days ago
The bike will gather dust or be used to dry clothes on. Give it to a Timorese kid who will use it please.
689 days ago
OK...well I've been putting off joining the group but I feel I've come to a bit of peace with my opinion.
I really like Mia Freedman, her non-lipstick related columns in the Age have helped me thorugh many a dark time (particularly when it comes to parenting) with a bit of honesty and humour. HOWEVER, I am cut by the first half of her interview. I am not generally a sporting hero type person, but I LOVE CYCLING and I don't think it's had enough general public support as a sport in the 15+ years that I've been watching the Tour, so I LOVE THAT CADEL WON and has really put cycling into the mainstream media.
I do however agree that ordinary Aussies should also get recognised for their triumphs and paid well for the good work they do. I think all those people who volunteer to pick up other people's rubbish should get paid, those people who work for little to nothing to deal with everyones muck and inhumanity should be paid well and praised too. Nurses and teachers and inventors; the list goes on.
How is one person's hour worth so much more than anothers if they have both worked hard and dedicated their lives to developing expertise in their area and both made substantial contributions to their community? That is what I don't understand. Hero? I don't know what that means outwardly but I know who my heroes are.
I still like Mia for the good things she does and I think she really does need a bike so that she can understand the outstanding things that Cadel has acheived. He is a great sportsman who deserves accolade for doing something that very few people can do for our inspiration and entertainment.
Norm Douglas on Friday, 29 July 2011 22:03Anna Kanook on Monday, 01 August 2011 13:21
I really like Mia Freedman, her non-lipstick related columns in the Age have helped me thorugh many a dark time (particularly when it comes to parenting) with a bit of honesty and humour. HOWEVER, I am cut by the first half of her interview. I am not generally a sporting hero type person, but I LOVE CYCLING and I don't think it's had enough general public support as a sport in the 15+ years that I've been watching the Tour, so I LOVE THAT CADEL WON and has really put cycling into the mainstream media.
I do however agree that ordinary Aussies should also get recognised for their triumphs and paid well for the good work they do. I think all those people who volunteer to pick up other people's rubbish should get paid, those people who work for little to nothing to deal with everyones muck and inhumanity should be paid well and praised too. Nurses and teachers and inventors; the list goes on.
How is one person's hour worth so much more than anothers if they have both worked hard and dedicated their lives to developing expertise in their area and both made substantial contributions to their community? That is what I don't understand. Hero? I don't know what that means outwardly but I know who my heroes are.
I still like Mia for the good things she does and I think she really does need a bike so that she can understand the outstanding things that Cadel has acheived. He is a great sportsman who deserves accolade for doing something that very few people can do for our inspiration and entertainment.
Norm Douglas on Friday, 29 July 2011 22:03Agree with many things you've said here. I think we do honour so-called ordinary Aussies... just look at Australia Day awards, it's full of people just going about their life.
Anna Kanook on Monday, 01 August 2011 13:21Yes but do they get paid what they deserve? Or did they work for free for years.
691 days ago
Sorry to be nasty but .... maybe a bike with no brakes for her? Then at least she can worship a nurse/doctor if she needs stitching up.
691 days ago
I'm sure that plenty of people on this site found Mia Freedman's comments about Cadel Evans this week hard to comprehend and probably consider it to be total ignorance. Many have written about it, but this "Open Letter" to Mia by Bridie O'Donnell is probably the most comprehensive argument against her negativity that I have read....
http://bridie.com.au/component/content/article/47-a-letter-to-mia-freedman
http://bridie.com.au/component/content/article/47-a-letter-to-mia-freedman
691 days ago