The demigod (dis)advantage for Shaun White

Shaun White was on my TV set the other night, clowning around. Because that's what he does.

What a great job that guy has. He makes around $10 million a year to skateboard and snowboard, and do whatever else he feels like doing. He does all of that in between flying to exotic locations to skateboard and snowboard and do whatever else he feels like doing. Did I mention that he gets paid about $10 million a year, accompanied by the perks of rock stardom?

Yes, I'm jealous. If you aren't jealous, there's something wrong with you.

In a judged Olympic sport, this demigod status offers an unbelievable advantage over his competitors? I’m asking it as a question.

When Michael Phelps, a demigod of the swimming variety, steps onto the pool deck he has the "demigod advantage" because he's already in the minds of his competitors. If the competition is thinking about Michael Phelps, then they aren't thinking about their race. That's an advantage.

But the influence stops there. The clock doesn't care about demigods, or how much they earn, or the color of their Lamborghini.

But judges are people who are prone to be influenced by such status. No judge will admit it. Of course, they are above that? Again, I'm asking it as a question.

If you believe that all people, snowboard judges too, are familiar with that odd emotion we sometimes refer to as jealousy, then you must concede that it is indeed a powerful and influential emotion.

Is it an emotion or feeling? I don't know.

Jealousy is commonly thought of as a bad thing. We have all seen unchecked jealousy manifest in ugly ways that lead to hate. However, jealousy isn't always bad. I don't hate Shaun White, I think he's probably pretty cool. I'm not in love with him, like NBC, but I would love to be in his shoes and I think that means I'm jealous. And I’m perfectly fine with that.

Jealousy can build up or tear down the stature of its subject. With as much Shaun White coverage as you are about to be force-fed from the good folks in media (all of them, myself now included), it is difficult not to have an opinion on Shaun White. It's even more difficult not to be jealous of him.

A demigod in a judged sport will undoubtedly have its effect. Whether that effect is for better or for worse is for you to judge.

-- Gary Hall, Jr.

Photo: Shaun White addresses the media on Thursday. Credit: Kyle Tereda / US Presswire

Comments

[FantasyWinterOlympics]

With the exception of figure skating I think the days of bias in judging are behind us. I found the snowboard and ski jump judging at the 2006 Games to be very fair.

[Karmel]

Welcome to the LA Times! As a Type 1 diabetic, I am excited hear your take on the Olympics and the ins and outs of sporting life.

As to judged sports in the Olympics, do you find that there is a divide between competitors in judged sports and those in non-judged (often timed) sports? Does one faction look down on the other within a national team, or is it mostly a non-issue between athletes?

-- Karmel

[Kelly Kunik]

Gary:

I’m also a bit jealous of Shaun White – And also like you, it’s not in a mean or vindictive, "why does he get all the glory?" type of way.

No, it’s more in the “Damn, I'd love to live my life to the fullest like Shaun White, get paid to do what I love and enjoy every freaking minute of it,” type of way.

So I’ll take that jealousy I have for Shaun and use it as a motivator to continue my life and career towards my passions.

And like you, I hope that the judges- in both the Olympics and the media, will judge him fairly and based on his skills.

As for you Gary, I’m looking forward to reading more of your blog posts !
k2

[Gary Hall, Jr.]

Thank ye!

Competitors don't rank themselves against other sports, generally. Athletes that reach the Olympic level know how much commitment it takes to get there and that respect is mutual, whether it's a judged sport or not.

I read that mathematicians have determined that the new judging system at the Olympics is more flawed than the last.

Shrug. I don't know enough about the judging system to comment on that.

[Megan]

I understand that it was a judged event last night, but White really was better than everyone. His runs were the most exciting, difficult, and clean. The other boarders were trying to keep up with him. It's great he get's to do what he loves and makes a ton of money, but there was a lot of pressure on him before these games to win. He obviously works hard and keeps pushing the boundaries of his sport. Very cool.