Sgt. Jeremy Teela sat out yesterday’s 20-kilometer individual biathlon race at the Vancouver Olympics due to a sinus problem, according to a post on his Twitter page.
“Sinus problems this morning I won’t be stating today sorry folks I’m bummed too but cheer on Wynn Roberts in his first Olympic race,” Teela tweeted.
Teammates said Teela’s illness did not appear serious, and he sat out the race more as a precautionary measure to be ready for Sunday’s mass start race and next week’s relay, according to USA TODAY. Teela will start 28th out of 30 competitors in the mass start race. He indicated on this Twitter page that he will be participating.
Teela, a Vermont National Guardsman, got off to a strong start in Vancouver, finishing ninth in the 10 kilometer sprint on Feb. 14. His performance was the best-ever finish for an American in a biathlon event.
In his second event of the games, Teela was the victim of a bizarre gaffe by a starter in the 12.5-kilometer sprint and finished 24th overall.
Agony of defeat
Some might think it’s just gross, but I think you get a better appreciation of how tough biathlon is after seeing this Norwegian biathlete leave it all on the course after finishing Tuesday’s 12.5-kilometer pursuit.
