Lindsey Jacobellis crashes after soaring over next-to-last hill, gets silver.
SHOWING OFF WITH LEAD, JACPBELLIS LOSES GOLD
TURIN, Italy Lindsey Jacobellis' sport, snowboarding, is not as well-known as some, but the gaffe that cost her a gold medal could go down as one of the more famous examples of a premature celebration in sports history.
Jacobellis, 20, of Stratto, Vt., had what appeared to be an insurmountable lead in the snowboard cross, a mad dash down a hilly, winding course, when she decided to style for the crowd in Bardonecchia.
Soaring off the next-to-last hill, she grabbed her board like halfpipe snowboarders do.
But this particular move, a backside method grab, was too risky even for someone like Jacobellis, who is world-class in both the snowboard cross and the halfpipe. She lost her balance upon landing and fell. Because she had such a large lead, she was able to regain her feet and finish second behind Switzerland's Tanja Frieden.
She said immediately after the race that she needed to grab the board for stability.
U.S. coach Peter Foley backed her story until he saw a frame-by-frame photo sequence provided by the Associated Press and acknowledged that Jacobellis "styled that a little too hard.''
Later, in a teleconference arranged by the U.S. Olympic Committee, Jacobellis admitted that she was showing off.
"I was having fun,'' she said. "Snowboarding is fun. I was ahead. I wanted to share my enthusiasm with the crowd. I messed up.
"Oh well, it happens.''
photo & story courtesy AP & baltimoresun.com, 02/17/06
18Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.
WHAT DOES TODAY'S PROVERB TEACH US ABOUT THE PROBLEM OF "SHOWING OFF"?
Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE notes help us understand:
16:18 Proud people take little account of their weaknesses and do not anticipate stumbling blocks. They think they are above the frailties of common people. In this state of mind they are easily tripped up. Ironically, proud people seldom realize that pride is their problem, although everyone around them is well aware of it. Ask someone you trust whether self-satisfaction has blinded you to warning signs. He or she may help you avoid a fall.
Before any of us get too critical of Lindsey Jacobellis for showing off and losing her victory, we need to evaluate our own lives. Our showing off can cost us a spiritual victory.
Stay humble and you won't wipe out!
- Memorize Proverbs 16:18 as a reminder of the need to stay humble.
- Pray every day for Christ's humility.
- Write in your journal some examples of how you know you struggle with pride and then review it every week to see if you are letting Jesus help you grow in this part of your life.
- As the Olympics wrap up, notice how some athletes have an "attitude". Let this encourage you to evaluate how you come across to other people.
Daily Devos is published Monday through Friday. Archives can be found at YFC.ORG. Its purpose is to help you apply truths from God's Word every day.
Our writer, Byron Emmert, has been involved with Youth For Christ for 30 years. He's served as Campus Life Staff, as a writer, and in leadership for the DCLA Conferences. Byron is married to Linda and their family includes two married sons and daughters-in-law, and a daughter in college. He loves sports, deep dish pizza, and spending time with his family.