Border Country Sports Blog-January 18th
Good Morning! With the Border Country Sports Blog, I'm Keith Harrington.
Whitehall's Bascue Left Off Olympic Team
Stunned! That is how I felt when I was went to the US Luge and Bobsleigh website yesterday to see who was named to the US Bobsled team for the upcoming Beijing Olympics. After reading the list once I had to look at it again. I thought I had misread it. However, what I thought I noticed the first time I scanned the list was true on the second take. Whitehall's Codie Bascue was not named to the team that will represent the United States in Beijing in just a few weeks.
Bascue was coming off a third place finish in the regular season finale at the European Cup in Winterberg, Germany. He had a top 10 finish a couple of weeks ago in Sigulda, Latvia. Things seemed to be coming together at the right time.
Bascue was obviously disappointed with the news as was evident by a statement on his Facebook page.
"I don’t know what to say, I don’t know how to express all of these feelings. This morning, the 2022 Winter Olympic Bobsled Team was named and I was not on that list," Bascue stated. "Crushed, disappointed, sad, frustrated, upset are all probably understatements. This is not the outcome I was expecting from this season. I still truly believe that I could have performed well in China."
As has been the case throughout his career, Bascue handled the news with class.
"That being said, I am so proud of everyone on the team that made it and so excited to watch my whole team crush it in the Olympics next month," Bascue added. "I am looking forward to helping them all in any way that I can. I just want to say congratulations to the whole team."
In 2018 Bascue becane a local hero when he competed in the Olympic Games in PyeongChang. Whitehall became the center of attention of the local media beause of the local hero. Large wtach parties were held to watch Bascue everytime he hit the track. Signs supporting their native son hung all over the town.
Bascue placed 25th in the two-man event and ninth in the four-man race at PyeongChang.
Although I have always loved watching the games and it is a sports event that I have glued to my television to watch since I was as young as I remember, there was something different about it watching Bascue. He was from a town just up the road. I had done the play by play of several football games that he had played in, often having a conversation about his bobsled career with his dad or grandfather before the games. I had covered him playing other sports as well. It made watching the Olympics feel extra special.
Bascue made it clear he is very appreciative for the support that he has recieved.
"And to everyone that has shown support and cheered my teammates and I on for the past four years and more, thank you so so much for everything, I couldn’t have done any of it without you all."
Bascue made it clear that he will still do whatever he can to help and support the team competing in Beijing. He said then he will take some time to absorb things and contemplate his next move.
"Now I will be taking some time away from social media while I think things over and look forward. I appreciate everything everyone has done for me. I love you all. Thank you," Bascue concluded.
No Codie, thank you. The ride that you have taken local sports fans who have followed your career and covered it has been fantastic. We lived our Olymoic dream vicariously through you. Even though you wouldn't know me from a whole in the ground, I feel like we have met many times and have known each other for years. I will still watch the Olympics, even the bobsled races which are my favorite event and have been since I was a young boy. But it won't be quite the same. Whatever path you choose to follow next, the journey you took us on the last few years will be etched in our minds forever. If you decide to make a run at the next Olympic Games we will all be here to support you.
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With the Border Country Sports Blog, I'm Keith Harrington.
