http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/12/sp...mpic-role.html
It's unfortunate. Like the article mentions, I don't think Vidmar's beliefs about SSM would have affected how he served in that position. I wonder if he would have participated in the rally and donated the money if the church hadn't officially supported Prop 8.
For Some Sports Figures, Opinions Have a Price
When Peter Vidmar, who won two gold medals in gymnastics in the 1984 Olympics, was chosen to be the United States’ chef de mission for next year’s London Games, the chairman of the United States Olympic Committee called him a natural leader and an extraordinary individual.
Yet Vidmar, who has been involved with the Olympic movement for more than 20 years, lasted in the role for only eight days. He resigned last Friday after several reports revealed that he had supported initiatives against same-sex marriage. He said he stepped down because he did not want any controversy over his opinions to overshadow the United States team.
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Vidmar, 49, who declined to be interviewed, participated in a rally supporting Proposition 8, the California ballot measure that defined marriage as being between a man and a woman, and donated $2,000 to the cause.
He is a Mormon and said that he took that stance for religious reasons, but that his views would not influence his ability to serve as chef de mission. In earlier times, his opinions might not have made a difference because few would have known about them, Scherr said. But not now.
“With the proliferation of social media and blogs, opinions get out there so much earlier than they used to, so if people take a stand on an issue, it becomes known, lightning quick,” Scherr said. “So there’s a greater risk for athletes who take a stand on controversial issues.”
When Peter Vidmar, who won two gold medals in gymnastics in the 1984 Olympics, was chosen to be the United States’ chef de mission for next year’s London Games, the chairman of the United States Olympic Committee called him a natural leader and an extraordinary individual.
Yet Vidmar, who has been involved with the Olympic movement for more than 20 years, lasted in the role for only eight days. He resigned last Friday after several reports revealed that he had supported initiatives against same-sex marriage. He said he stepped down because he did not want any controversy over his opinions to overshadow the United States team.
...
Vidmar, 49, who declined to be interviewed, participated in a rally supporting Proposition 8, the California ballot measure that defined marriage as being between a man and a woman, and donated $2,000 to the cause.
He is a Mormon and said that he took that stance for religious reasons, but that his views would not influence his ability to serve as chef de mission. In earlier times, his opinions might not have made a difference because few would have known about them, Scherr said. But not now.
“With the proliferation of social media and blogs, opinions get out there so much earlier than they used to, so if people take a stand on an issue, it becomes known, lightning quick,” Scherr said. “So there’s a greater risk for athletes who take a stand on controversial issues.”
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