Dale Begg-Smith: Skiing Legend, Spam King

Share

Canadians are proud. We waited patiently for that first gold, cheering on our homegrown athletes. So where does Dale Begg-Smith fit into local Olympic glory? The West-Vancouver raised freestyle skier left Canada at age 15 to compete with the Australian team.

Knowing the rigorous training and sometimes unreasonable commitment required by athletes at this level, it’s easy to feel some sympathy for Dale, understanding why he left to join a smaller team. As an obviously bright boy, 15-year-old Dale was starting an Internet business. The Canadian coaches weren’t allowing him to split his time, insisting that his training must take priority. Dale and his brother Jason both left the Canadian team and joined the smaller and more flexible Australian team.

Six years later, and now citizens of a new country the boys are competing for Australia, and Dale is bringing medals home. A successful career with the Australian team has made him a hero in his new country. The Australian Post issued a stamp in his honor.

Begg-Smith is commended for traveling with the other skiers and not insisting on the luxury he could most certainly afford. Dale’s wildly successful business has him driving a Lamborghini, and living an extravagant life.

Now he’s back in Canada, competing on the turf he once called home, and yesterday he won a silver medal in men’s moguls. Some of us felt sorry that the Canadian team didn’t let this young man purse his business dreams, but any connection Vancouverites felt toward Dale was quickly severed when we learned more about this business he started.

It’s no wonder he’s not insisting on luxury accommodations, he’s probably not eager to spark the conversations that surface surrounding his business. Begg-Smith remains very secretive about his business, saying, "There's not much to say. We design technology and stuff like that, some advertising stuff, too." Well, that technology is spyware and other malicious software, and the advertising, spam. That’s right, Begg-Smith is reportedly a spam king. Begg-Smith has refused to give details about his company and won’t disclose their real business model, but claims link him to a string of nefarious Internet activities.

Feeling a little less sorry that Canadian coaches weren’t supporting his business pursuits? Unfortunately for this Olympic skier, being president of AdsCPM has earned him a lot more attention and as a result lost him the respect of his fans. In 2006, after winning Gold, Canadian press wanted to know about his business, and an irritated Begg-Smith answered, "I don't know why we're talking about the company. I just won Olympic gold".

Some argue that it doesn’t matter. The issues are separate. A world-class skier deserves to be celebrated for his skiing accomplishments without being tarnished by his other involvements.

Others argue that competing on a world stage comes with some scrutiny. Insisting that the man be separate from the sporting accomplishment is not only unrealistic, but out of step with Olympic values: Achievement, Respect and Nobility. Dale Begg-Smith isn’t the kind of role model we want for young Canadian athletes.

More controversy sparked yesterday when Australian ski officials accused Olympic judges of denying Dale Begg-Smith gold. They say that he was a clear winner but was purposefully denied the Gold medal. The accusations hardly seem founded, but if they are, that isn’t upholding Olympic values either.

What do you think? Does it matter how somebody spends his or her time off the slopes? Some people are calling for the IOC to investigate Begg-Smith under the premise that he tarnishes the Olympic movement.

-  Francesca Clarke -

Photo credit: flicker mafue