(Thumbnail image: The Los Angeles Times)

He’s officially back on the podium.  Accomplished U.S. skier Bode Miller won the Bronze medal in the Men's Downhill at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver on Monday. After not medalling in Turin in 2006, Miller contemplated retirement and drew harsh criticism for his attitude and work ethic from the media.  But now it’s mainly praise -- here a few of the latest headlines:  
 
The Los Angeles Times: "Miller's crossing: from tabloid target to focused flier"

The Houston Chronicle: "Bode Miller gets redemption with bronze in men's downhill"

The Chicago Tribune:  "Miller's time finally comes"

A writer from Sports Illustrated echoes what many are saying about Miller’s chances in these Olympic Games -- it's either do or die.

"He is remembered best for his 2006 Olympic flameout, but he "un-retired'' in September and has steadily improved throughout the World Cup season. He is considered a threat to win -- or crash -- in all five races in Vancouver."

ESPN talks about how close Miller was -- to an ever greater feat.

"Truth be told -- it could have been even better. Miller finished just two hundredths of a second behind the Silver Medalist from Norway, and just nine hundredths of a second behind Gold medalist Didier DeFalgo of Switzerland."
 
But why all the fuss?  Well, many analysts say -- Bode Miller isn't just any skier.

"Miller, you see, is not just any another ski racer. He is one of a kind. He is Bode Miller. And his kamikaze plunges down World Cup mountainsides are among the finest examples of what it means to ski on the edge -- either finishing first or finishing tangled up in a safety net with a face full of snow."

 
REPORTER:  “What happened to the guy, sort of the wild and crazy guy both on the slopes and off the slopes?  Is that guy still there?” 

MILLER:  "I mean, I think it's a matter of perception, no matter how you look at it.  I can easily make everyone think that I am not partying and not doing anything or I could easily make people think the other side and in the past it has just been a matter of where the media positions themselves and where the stories are as far as where the focus is put."

"And down on the finish, he gave a smile, and he kind of closed his eyes and he said, yes that was the kind of performance that I wanted to give.  And of course, he's gonna be looking for gold and he's got a bunch more chances but the bronze medal, clearly happy with it, and how long has it been since we've seen Bode Miller pleased with himself." (NBC News)

So, is there too much fuss being made over Bode Miller?  Or is his story -- in itself -- Olympic Gold?

Writer: Newsy Staff

Producer: Brent Davidson