I’m a big Sports Illustrated fan.
So as I flipped through my July 24th issue the other day, I ran across the Got Milk? ad with all the Olympic athletes. I thought it looked great — 10 of the United State’s most noteworthy Olympic athletes, dressed in all white, milk mustaches included, posed in front of the American flag. But the closer I looked, I realized something was a little wrong with it.
Since I had been out of town, I didn’t get to read my July 24 issue until July 28th, the day, coincidentally, that Paul Hamm announced he would not participate in the 2008 Olympics due a shoulder injury. It was also released that day that his twin brother, Morgan, may not be able to compete in Beijing because he failed to clear a cortisone shot with the USADA (Morgan’s spot was eventually confirmed by the International Gymnastics Federation, allowing him to compete despite the mistake).
Maritza Correia, a swimmer, ended up not making the Olympic team, but was still included in the January photo shoot, and soccer player Leslie Osborne tore her ACL and was replaced by an alternate. Allyson Felix is also in the shoot and, while she is still competing in the Olympics, she had hoped to compete in the 100 and 200 meters but failed to qualify in the 100. That’s five athletes whose Olympic dreams weren’t fulfilled exactly as they had hoped who are featured in the ad. The other five might want to watch their backs as 08.08.08 nears.
Update (Aug.7, 2008): Morgan Hamm has now dropped out of the Olympic Games after an awkward landing injured his ankle, leaving him unable to compete at the level he feels he should to help his team.
