I don't know why Gerald Hayden didn't ski the downhill. No idea.
It was probably a coach's decision, but I'm trying to call him to find out. No luck yet. It's Italy, and the answering machine at the Olympic Village (or is it "Paralympic" Village?) isn't working. Or maybe it's not even an answering machine. It's hard to say, the message is in Italian.
Maybe you're only allowed to enter so many skiers in each event, and since his best event is the slalom, the coaches are saving him. Maybe he met the love of his life, and she convinced him downhill is a crazy, dangerous sport, and he had to choose between it and her. I don't know.
It doesn't really matter how he does, he's still inspirational, but it would be nice if he at least got to compete. It would be even nicer if he came out of nowhere, won a gold medal and inspired millions, but we don't always get what we want I guess.
Next race is tonight. More on this as it develops. Or doesn't develop.
