He’s the most unlikely Olympic superstar.
First, he doesn’t look like an athlete.
He looks, in fact, a bit geeky.
No bulging muscles.
Redheaded, rather than brown or blonde-haired and blue-eyed.
Pale skinned rather than dark and chiseled-looking.
The air more of a fun-loving slightly rebellious awkward teen rather than an intensely focused do-or-die competitor.
The only thing in Shaun White’s physical appearance, in fact, that makes him stand out is his long mane of shocking red hair.
But this unlikely gold-medal winner of the snowboard "Halfpipe," without question is the most unforgettable athlete at the Torino Winter Olympic Games. The wonderfully apt nickname, "The Flying Tomato," only deepens the impression . . . a name that is so apt, yet so contradictory to his perfect grace and power as a champion gymnastic snowboarder.
What can you and I learn from "Il Pomegrante Volante," as the Italians lovingly call Shaun White?