The apology I wish I could have delivered in person
What happened was, I said the wrong thing at the wrong time without properly thinking about how it would land until the words were out of my mouth and onto the public record. And I’ve regretted it ever since. Not just because of what happened to me afterwards but because of the fact I drew attention away from a legend in a moment that should have been all about him.
It was 2011, I was doing my regular weekly slot on the Today Show where I chatted with Karl Stefanovic about some of the big stories of the day. And on that day, Australia’s Cadel Evans had just won the Tour de France a few minutes before I went on air.
I was not across this story. Sport is not my love language. And so I had absolutely no idea what I was unleashing when my response to Karl demanding everyone in the studio stand up and applaud our new national hero was “but I don’t think sports people are heroes”.
I kept going - as Karl spluttered and called me un-Australian - insisting that the real Australian heroes were people who worked silently and selflessly for the betterment of others, not sports stars who earned millions of dollars for doing something they loved.
Ugh. I will always, always regret what I said that day. And not just because of the death threats and cancellation that began before the segment even ended.
It was a thoughtless and ill-timed rant at a time when a talented athlete had just won an iconic international sporting event and the country was cheering for him.
Rightly so.
The only reason I’m bringing it up - I try not to, TBH - is because a Google alert came up today for a new interview with Cadel in which I’m mentioned and my stomach did that thing it does whenever this story resurfaces.
Ohhhhhkay.
And just in case I didn’t feel mortified enough for what I said back then - well, Cadel continues to be lovely about it even though he has every right to feel resentful and bitter.
From the Australian:
Bizarrely, Evans was also the subject of backlash. As the country celebrated his victory, Mamamia founder and journalist Mia Freedman appeared on Nine’s Today show and came to a different conclusion than her countrymen and women: “I just don’t care. I just don’t get it. He’s a man who’s paid a lot of money to ride a bike.”
Later she clarified her position, writing in The Sydney Morning Herald: “My point was simply this: why do we place such a disproportionate emphasis on sporting achievement in Australia? Why doesn’t success in other fields receive similar attention? And what about the kids who don’t like playing sport or even watching it? The ones whose dreams, ambitions and interests lie in other areas? Where are their national heroes?”
Evans tells me that, for what it’s worth, he agrees with Freedman: “I definitely see it from Mia’s viewpoint. Everyday heroes deserve to be recognised too.
“I look at the situation after the pandemic and all the hard work done by doctors and nurses, unsung heroes like caregivers for the aged and disabled, and it does seem a bit strange that sportspeople are so revered in society. It’s disproportionate.”
Could he be more gracious (no). Could I feel like more of a dick (also no).
It hasn’t taken me this long to reflect on why it was wrong. In 2014, I actually wrote about it on Mamamia……
”Since The Cadel Incident, I’ve had a long time to think about sport and heroes and why my comments ignited the fires of hell. The abuse I will never forget nor forgive but these days I understand a little better where it sprang from.
I’ve realised that in a news cycle so heavy on tragedy, a simple piece of good news is something to grasp onto with both hands.
I’ve realised the power of a sporting triumph to inspire and uplift ordinary people is not to be underestimated or undervalued.
I’ve realised that ‘hero’ is a subjective term. So is ‘inspiration’. I have no right to tell you who your heroes should be and you have no right to tell me.
I’ve realised that sporting values like hard work, sobriety, dedication, determination, focus, sacrifice, team work, motivation and commitment are absolutely worth admiring and celebrating.
I’ve realised that just because sporting achievement comes with huge financial benefits and incentives, that doesn’t lessen its value.
I’ve realised that the national pride we take in our underdog status when we’re competing against countries 10 times our size and with a hundred times our sporting budget AND WE WIN has the power to make people feel good and that’s important. And that some of that feel-good halo effect remains on everyone who is cheering them on.
Most importantly, I’ve realised that there aren’t a finite number of heroes. There’s no cap on inspiration. There’s room to celebrate Cadel and Nick as well as the less high profile achievements of people whose names will never be in the news.”
How I’m putting on my foundation these days…..
Some outfits I’ve been wearing lately
