Bode Miller’s Olympic career ends after 20th place in giant slalom

SOCHI, Russia -- Bode Miller’s Olympic career ended Wednesday when he finished 20th behind winner and U.S. teammate Ted Ligety in the men’s giant slalom.

Miller said he’s been bothered by knee injuries and will not ski in the men’s slalom Saturday.

It wasn’t the way Miller wanted to go out. Miller won his sixth Olympic medal, bronze, in Sunday’s super giant slalom. That’s more than any U.S. Alpine racer in Olympic history and second among all sports to the eight won by short-track speedskater Apolo Ohno.

Miller, now 36, never had a chance in Wednesday’s GS. He finished 2.53 seconds behind Ligety’s time.

Miller missed all of last season after undergoing micro-fracture surgery on his left knee. He also bruised his right knee in a giant slalom crash just before the Olympics, at St. Moritz.

Miller said his left knee, though, is the major problem.

“Managing it has been the biggest challenge this year,” he said.

Miller said he would finish out this World Cup season and then decide on his future.

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