I love the ice skating babes and the sort-of guys and their silly costumes. I love the jumps, the spins and yes, even Dick Button, who is amazing simply because he is still alive. As you watch the up and coming men skaters landing quadruple jumps, consider that he landed the first double axel in the 1948 Winter Olympics back when they held the ice skating events on frozen ponds. That was 58 years ago, for Pete's sake, and he's still going strong. I hope he goes on forever, and maybe he will. He looks pretty good, and he's still as enthusiastic as ever.
I love thinking about how much sports have changed over the years as people have applied all sorts of ingenuity and science, and just plain guts in the quest to win.
I love watching the steely resolve of those who win, like the snowboard cross men's champion, who picked his line and stuck it through. And who could not help applauding when the 3rd place winner of that race, the plucky Frenchman, who had never even made it into a semi-final heat before, slipped by two competitors who had crashed, and took the bronze medal ?
I love seeing the athlete's beautiful, young faces and hearing their stories. When they screw up, like Bode Miller, or Lindsey Jacobellis, does not your heart ache for the life lessons learned the hard way ? I love watching their faces when they hear their national anthems played and get their medals, fulfilling what has likely been a dream of theirs since childhood.
I love the way each country's individuality flavors the opening and closing ceremonies. Who could not have gotten a chuckle out of the mountain skirts worn by the Italians who led each nation in the parade of nations this year ? I love the idea of the world coming together, our differences put aside for a while in the pursuit of excellence. I suppose it's naive, but someday, perhaps, we'll do it more often.
I love seeing falling snow during the events and seeing beautiful mountains and ski areas all over the world.
I've loved every minute of the Winter Olympics, since I first tuned in to watch Peggy Fleming win the gold medal in 1968, and I watch as much of them as I can.
I totally agree with you Red Boots. It's a great chance to see all the sports they don't show on television here. The one problem I have with the coverage is that they don't show backgrounds on most of the athletes from other countries. Many have compelling and often inspiring stories. I think in many ways we've become a bit jaded as regards the Olympics. Remember when it was a joy for an American just to get a bronze? Now we expect gold every time and get down on athletes like Bode Miller who have been touted by the press. Sometimes you just don't win but who wouldn't be inspired by the athlete with no chance to win trying his best? It's not like they're going through the motions - everyone is trying to win or they wouldn't be there in th first place but sports are a metaphore for life. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.