Bad Ass Olympians: Ian Millar

(photo courtesy of canada.com)

Most people envision 65-year-olds playing with their grandkids or helping their own kids renovate their homes. But competing in the Olympic Games? No one could have seen that coming. But Ian Millar did just that, and he has been doing that since 1972. The Canadian equestrian just competed in his 10^th Olympic Games and since his inaugural year in those Games, he has only missed one year of competition, 1980’s boycotted Moscow Games. His Olympic run this year ended when he finished 9^th in the show jumping finals but with years of experience, Millar is still bringing an old-school edge to one of the world’s oldest sports. And according to the man himself, he isn’t done yet, as he hasn’t yet closed the door on competing in the 2016 Games.

That’s bad ass.

-Raindrops

A Weight on Carmelo's Shoulders

(photo courtesy of ballnout.wordpress.com)

Carmelo Anthony recently played the game of his life in this year’s summer Olympics. The New York Knicks' star forward scored a record breaking 37 points (on 10 for 12 from beyond the arc) in Team USA’s trouncing of Nigera. The only member of the 2003 draft class’ big 4 to not have a championship, Carmelo will now be depended on more than ever to lead his Knicks to a title. Many adjustments have to be made with the New York squad. Signing Jason Kidd and Ronnie Brewer have, thus far, been the biggest moves they've made, but championships aren't won with transactions alone. They must learn to work better as a team and mature on both ends of the court. A title is still a long ways away, but the route to that title must be led by Anthony.


-Raindrops

Bad Ass Olympians: Simon Kean

(photo courtesy of twitter.whostalking.com)

Canadian super heavyweight boxer Simon Kean's road to the Olympics reads more like a superhero origin story than a profile. In 2009, he was in an ATV accident in a remote region of Quebec that left him with his leg pinned. He was airlifted to hospital via helicopter, where a risky skin graft operation narrowly saved his leg from amputation. Kean was left wheelchair-ridden for months. Doctors told him he may never walk again, but the mighty Frenchman wasn't having it. Three years later, Kean waltzed into the most macho possible event in the Olympics, SUPER HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING, and took out a higher ranked opponent with a gutsy comeback effort. Adding to his epic legend is his Clint Eastwood-esque stoicism: when asked about his accident Kean responds simply, "I don't want to talk about that." 

That's bad ass.