Downhill

AN EDITED VERSION OF THIS POST APPEARED AS A LETTER IN THE SPORTS SECTION OF THE NEW YORK TIMES ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20.

What price glory? It is hard to imagine the pressures placed upon a world class athlete to continue to perform. When you are Lindsey Vonn and represent the best this country has to offer in women's downhill skiing, and you are on the biggest stage in your sport, the capacity to think clearly about risk versus reward, recedes. Throw in the effects of a lingering concussion and the limits placed on your mental capabilities, and presto, you have someone hurtling down a hill at breakneck speeds, risking permanent brain injury with every turn.

Vonn was very fortunate. Her athleticism and her muscle memory from years of being trained to perform under the most difficult of circumstances, won out over the brain fog that was overtaking her. She came within a quick breath of capturing the gold, but we all know she was but a slip away from the real possibility of long term neurological damage.

We all watch sporting events waiting , in the recesses of our brains, for that tragic consequence. I am reminded of that wonderful opening promotion for "Wide World of Sports" where we witnessed both the "thrill of victory" and the "agony of defeat". When those in power decided that it was right to permit Vonn to, quite literally, risk it all, they were not acting as stewards of the sport, but as hucksters for the spectacle.

Lindsey Vonn should never have been on that downhill course yesterday. As we learn more about the hidden nature of concussions, and the terrible consequences it can bring, we should understand that our athletes are not just disposable commodities, but human beings. They must not be allowed to make decisions, in the name of courage, that medical protocol dictates are wrong. I find it incomprehensible that the governing bodies, listening to this woman speak throughout the week of the lingering effects of the concussion, and speaking of her brain being behind her body as she hurtled down the mountain, would turn a blind eye and let her compete.

I applaud Ms. Vonn for all that she accomplished yesterday in her quest for gold and glory for herself and for her country. I wish I could say the same for those who job is not only to prepare their athletes but protect them.