Davis in '06 became the first black athlete to win an individual gold medal at the Winter GamesGETTY IMAGES
U.S. speedskater Shani Davis did not walk in Friday's Opening Ceremony in the "wake of his controversial tweet about missing out as the USA's team flag bearer," according to Martin Rogers of USA TODAY. In addition to the controversy, Davis had an "afternoon long-track practice session." Due to the time the "session ended, getting to the site for the ceremony" could have been difficult. However, sources said that had Davis been "named flag bearer," he would have "accepted the honor and taken part." Luger Erin Hamlin was selected flag bearer after winning a coin flip to break the tie with Davis. Meanwhile, speculation "continued to rumble as to whether it actually was Davis who wrote the tweet" criticizing Team USA for the selection (USATODAY.com, 2/8). ESPN's Clinton Yates said he understands Davis' "argument on merit," as he has become a "household name when it comes to Winter Olympics." However, the "way he went about this" was wrong. ESPN's Pablo Torre said, "It's an enormous honor, but this reminds me of someone complaining about their high school student council election." Additionally, Davis appears "petty now because (he) didn't like the way the process went." ESPN's Israel Gutierrez: "I could understand a coin toss being 'dishonorable' if they just made it up, but it was part of the rules already" ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 2/8).
NOT THE BEST CHOICE: The AP's Paul Newberry wrote while Hamlin is "certainly deserving" of carrying the flag, her resume "pales in comparison" to Davis'. Hamlin's "only Olympic medal is a bronze," while Davis has "two golds and a pair of silvers." Beyond the "stellar results, Davis has been a trailblazer." An African-American in a "mostly white sport, he became the first black athlete to win an individual gold medal at the Winter Games with his 1,000-meter triumph" in the '06 Turin Games. U.S. speedskater Joey Mantia said, “I don't think there's been an African-American flag bearer, ever, for the Winter Games. That would've been really cool” (AP, 2/8).
