Luge Isn't Exactly Monday Night Football
Clay Ives understands luge isn't exactly Monday Night Football
So when three reporters showed up Monday at the Utah Olympic Park for a news conference to preview the 2000-01 racing season, Ives, who left the Canadian team in 1998 after complaining about a lack of financial support for the sport by the federal government, took the underexposure in stride.
"It's luge. We're not too high-profile," Ives said, shrugging his shoulders. "It's not Monday Night Football. Hopefully, the excitement will build leading up to the Olympics."
Ives will join Chris Thorpe in doubles this year in place of Gordy Sheer, who retired in May after 12 successful years as Thorpe's partner. The pair won a silver medal at the 1998 Nagano Olympics.
Ives, a dual citizen born in Bancroft, Ont., joined the U.S. team in 1998. He said the goal for this season is to get used to working with Thorpe.
"The learning curve never ends," Ives said. "Chris and I have absolutely no pressure to perform. Any good results will be a bonus. We're expecting good things, but we'll take it slow."
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