Chile's President Sebastian Pinera (C) shakes hands with rescued miner Omar Reygadas as another rescued miner Luis Urzua (2nd R) watches after a photo session inside Copiapo Hospital, where the 33 rescued miners are undergoing full medical examination October 14, 2010.
Credit: Reuters/Jose Manuel de la Maza/Chilean Presidency/HandoutBy Cesar Illiano and Terry WadeCOPIAPO, Chile | Thu Oct 14, 2010 8:03pm EDT
COPIAPO, Chile (Reuters) - Chile's 33 rescued miners recovered from their two-month ordeal on Thursday as the offers and gifts that go along with their new celebrity status started to roll in, including an invitation to Graceland.
A day after their stunning rescue from deep inside a collapsed mine, the men underwent tests and received treatment in hospital, still wearing dark glasses to protect their eyes until they adapt to sunshine and bright lights.
Most of the miners were in surprisingly good health considering that they were stuck in a wet, hot and dark tunnel for 69 days.
The men, who set a world record for survival underground, were finally hoisted to the surface in a rescue operation that was watched by hundreds of millions of people worldwide and triggered celebrations across Chile.
One of the miners had pneumonia and was being treated with antibiotics, and others need dental treatment, but none were suffering from serious health problems and two or three might even be allowed to go home later on Thursday.
Experts said the most lasting damage could be emotional.
Between medical tests, the miners spent time with their families on Thursday and began looking at a flood of offers ranging from financial to musical.
Edison Pena, a fan of Elvis Presley, was invited to visit the Graceland mansion that was his home in Memphis, Tennessee and now serves as a museum to the rock and roll legend.
"We heard on the news that he's a huge Elvis fan," Graceland spokeswoman Alicia Dean told Reuters.
Pena's wife said the couple was very happy with the invitation but had not yet decided when the trip would be.
Real Madrid and Manchester United invited the miners, many of whom are avid soccer fans, to watch them play in Europe.
A flamboyant local singer-turned-businessman has given them $10,000 each, while Apple boss Steve Jobs has sent them all a latest iPod and a Greek firm has offered an islands tour.
The miners were also expected to receive job offers, advertising deals and possibly contracts to sell their stories for book and film projects.
In a complicated but flawless operation under Chile's far northern Atacama desert, the miners were hauled out one-by-one through 2,050 feet of rock in a metal capsule little wider than a man's shoulders.
It took 24 hours to pull out the 33 miners and six rescuers who had gone down the escape shaft to help the men get out.
I can’t believe that after they were rescued, they were flooded with offers from corporations wanting to make a buck from their ordeal.
Wakka Report As AbusivePlease allow them their well deserved 15 minutes of “fame”. I pray the changes now can be endured as well as their 69 day ordeal below.
tommytee Report As AbusiveI am sure they appreciated the offers. Writing memoirs must be easier than mining. Especially, being stuck in the mine.
It was a great rescue and I admire the president of Chile. We need one like him. He did not accuse anyone, but got to work and made sure they got out. They used a PA company and NASA technology, but at the end when the president thanked the countries that had offered help, there was no thank you for the USA. Sad. Our president must not have even called. Too busy campaigning, I guess. No class at all.
annnort Report As AbusiveReally. You can’t believe that? Welcome to the reality of today’s corporate greed.
In any case, this entire episode was a breath of fresh air in an increasingly depressing world. It was so uplifting to watch such a positive story develop and end. These guys deserve all the good things coming their way.
NewsJunkieToo Report As AbusiveThe miners want to make a buck from their ordeal too, so don’t be naive or surprised. Wake up to reality.
Stryke Report As AbusiveI am so impressed with Chile’s President and First Lady as they stood by from beginning to end supporting the miners. I can’t help but to contrast them to our’s, knowing that Obama and his wife would not have done the same thing saying they would just be in the way. I hope the miners get many offers from the corporations!
madampolo Report As AbusiveDoes anyone really not realize that the Chilean president did all the “standing by” for political reasons? This is not some kind-hearted old soul. He’s a politician and the former owner of the broadcasting company (which he just sold) that was managing most of the video. And to suggest what our president would or would not do is just juvenile. How do you know that President Obama didn’t call – just because it wasn’t aired? Get off the Republican soapbox for 5 minutes and discuss the miners – this is their ordeal.
maddy1001 Report As AbusiveI think they should read a very interesting book – “Moon Dust” by Andrew Smith, about what became of the men who landed on the moon. Many of the astronauts found the experience of isolation from life on the earth’s surface combined with the fame and scrutiny from the world’s media shaped their lives after they landed back on earth. Their lives were reshaped in unexpected ways, and not necessarily happily or beneficial.
I hope they readjust well and get back to normal without having to appear on “I’m a celebrity – get me out of here!” or any of the other media trappings.
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