Winter Olympics 2010

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

In 1968 at Mexico City, Bob Beamon destroyed the long jump record by over 21 inches. The previous holder of the world record, a Soviet names Igor Ter-Ovanesyan said "Compared to this jump, we are as children".

That was how I think Shaun White's opponents must have felt last night. No one is anywhere near this guy. He was simply amazing.

What I find interesting about him is that he's the kind of perfectionist and loner that is usually A) arrogant and B) disliked by his competition. But he seems to be neither.

He doesn't hang or train with any of the other boarders. He retreats to his private half pipe in the mountains, helicopter access only. He comes up with stuff in secret, doesn't share it with anyone (as if anyone could keep up with him anyway), and comes out of hiding to destroy them...and yet everyone seems to like him, and he's totally humble (as humble as one can be when they're inhumanly talented) and doesn't come across as the least bit arrogant.