In one of the stupidest non-controversy controversies of the 2018 Winter Olympics—and there have been a lot of them—gold medal winner and NBC analyst Bode Miller is under fire for a comment he made about a female skier’s marriage.
During Austrian skier Anna Veith’s run in the women’s giant slalom event, Miller noted how “challenging” it is for married skiers to compete.
“The knee is certainly an issue,” Miller said, referring to Veith’s 2016 ACL injury. “I want to point out she also got married. And it’s historically very challenging to race on the World Cup with a family or being married. Not to blame the spouses, but I just want to toss it out there that it may be her husband’s fault.”
Veith finished 15th in her first run on Wednesday and 4th in her second, keeping her off the medal podium.
Of course, social media was lit up with people who don’t understand the challenges of marriage and a collective Internet nervous breakdown ensued.
I’m sorry, did Bode Miller just say that a woman might not be able to perform well because of her marriage responsibilities? AND THAT WENT UNCHALLENGED?!?!? @NBCOlympics
— Christina Carroll (@cmulka) February 15, 2018
Bode Miller is an awful announcer. But aside from that, he’s also a garbage human being. Blaming a female athlete’s performance on her marriage is bullshit and being forced into apologizing for that statement doesn’t make it any better. #olympics
— Christine 🍅 (@MrsTomato1018) February 15, 2018
@BarstoolBigCat Bode Miller blames Marriage for skiers failure pic.twitter.com/pmRRPaiRJF
— Zac Ford (@mt_ford) February 15, 2018
Anyone hear dumb dumb Bode Miller say that marriage hurt athletes ?
— Barb Anderson (@BarbAnd49536936) February 15, 2018
Not the least bit shocked to hear that Bode Miller is a) obtuse when it comes to women athletes b) down on marriage (do some research on his cruel custody battle & treatment of his ex) and c) once again running his mouth like a douche. https://t.co/8q64fp7JHB
— Elyssa (@ElyssaK) February 15, 2018
Miller, of course, was “forced” to apologize for his transgression in the wake of the “controversy,” claiming that it was an “ill-advised attempt at a joke”
To be clear I was not seriously blaming Anna Veith's lack of results on her husband. It's a changing of priorities that is historically hard, male or female.
— Bode Miller (@MillerBode) February 15, 2018
I had the love and support of my wife while I was racing and I know it can be a huge asset. #happyvalentinesday
— Bode Miller (@MillerBode) February 15, 2018
“I do apologize,” he said. “I was an athlete that competed after marriage, and I know how beneficial it is. I know the support team you need. On Valentine’s Day, I did not mean to throw spouses under the bus, and I’m going to be hearing it from my wife, I know.”
Not everyone was upset with the comment, though:
I thought he was trying to be funny and it was just a joke….people need to chill….
Bode Miller blames skier's bad results on marriage, then apologizes https://t.co/oQ7vkVEXgs via @USATODAY— pete (@eaglefan818) February 15, 2018
Can't believe Bode Miller had to apologize for the marriage joke. Guess the Winter Olympics is a no humor zone.
— Samb (@sansho1) February 15, 2018
At the risk of reading too much into Miller’s comments, allow me to do just that.
First, I’m not sure the comment was a joke (except for the quip about her husband at the end). I wouldn’t be surprised if high-performance athletes regularly discuss the effects of marriage on performance. It’s quite possible that what Miller said just spilled over from prior debates and conversations with friends and fellow skiers.
Second, of course marriage is going to have an effect on how you perform your job — and not just for athletes. For some, it enhances performance, for others, it’s a distraction. Sports like skiing pose a particular challenge with their grueling travel schedules and rigorous training regimens. It’s not a crime to point that out (I suspect the people who do think it’s a crime are the same people who keep telling us that gender is a social construct so shut up).
Finally, can everyone please knock it off with all these fake controversies and freak-outs? Just enjoy the Olympics without the nervous breakdowns and virtue signaling. Thank you.
Follow me on Twitter: @pbolyard
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