Winter Olympics 2010

[MNNHFLTX]

Count me in as someone who loved the opening ceremony last night! It captured the spirit of Canada and Canadians perfectly, in my opinion. I especially loved that they brought out representatives of the various First Nations tribes to welcome the athletes. When we were in Alberta 1-1/2 years ago we saw similar demonstrations of First Nations dancing; I wonder if some of them were performing last night. The most incredible moment was when the floor of the stadium turned into water and the whales swam across. The developers did amazing things with projected images!

I was also touched to see the reception the crowds gave the Georgian contingent. To suffer such a loss and to carry on in his name is what the Olympics are all about.

[PirateLover]

Nothin' like the Olympics to fire up your patriotism! Last night was exciting for Americans. How about the two Koreans tripping each other in the short track, allowing Apolo Ohno and JR Celski to swoop in for medals? And Hannah Kearney getting the score to win her a gold medal after placing 22nd last time.
I do hope the Canadians get some gold before it's all said and done, though

[murphy1]

Love Apolo!!!!!! Spillane got our first medal ever in Nordic, yay!!

I can't believe we have our pairs from Florida in the Olympics! Just being there is exciting!

[SBETigg]

Apolo was great last night. The short track speed skating gets my pulse racing. It's so exciting (and nerve-wracking!) to watch.

[Melanie]

Apolo's first heat last night was amazing. I fell asleep for the final heat, but saw the replay this morning. Wow, how fortunate.

[JPL]

Loving the games so far watching some great Women's Hockey and all the other events are lots of fun too. Can't wait for Men's Hockey to start Tuesday

[DizneyFreak2002]

I prefer the Winter Olympics to the Summer Olympics... I'm enjoying them so far... GO USA!!!

[Magic Smiles]

I do hope the Canadians get some gold before it's all said and done, though

We DID!

[murphy1]

Congrats Canada, was rooting for you guys, knowing that you all live, eat and breathe hockey! And what a fantastic job you did as hosts, I really want to come up there for a visit one day

[Mickey'sGirl]

We'd love to have you Shari!

[indytraveler]

After watching yet another great hockey game yesterday. Canada v. US was the best matchup the NHL could have asked for. I know 2002 was the same thing but this one had a little more to it. A young American team that fought to the end and a very experienced Canadian team that HAD to win Gold.

In my opinion the NHL has surpassed the NBA in excitement. You combine the speed of basketball with the hitting of football and you get hockey. Too bad most people don't see this.

Congrats Canada to the gold medal chase and to team USA for winning the most medals.

[Pagan]

I will never understand why hockey doesn't get the recognition it deserves.

Greatest sport on earth.

[PirateLover]

We DID!

Boy oh boy, you ain't kiddin'!!!!! You guys ran aways with the golds. Overall this was a fantastic Olympics for both Canada and US!!! Lots of fun to watch these past two weeks.

[indytraveler]

One last observation...

The Russian sports federation wants a complete makeover of their Olympic training for athletes. This makes sense because the US did this in the late '90's and look at the result.

When we (the US) stopped going to Olympics with true "amateurs" and started having professionals in their sports go we started winning gold medals. I'm talking about letting these athletes get paid endorsement money for training etc. Do you think Apolo Ohno would have stayed around short track for as long as he did without $? He and all the snowboarders, skiers, bobsledders, etc. get corporate money so they can devote their time to training.

This Olympics showed the world that us in North America are truly superior athletes when the table is truly even. Just think back to the days of the Soviet Bloc nations winning everything. Well during those times their sport was their job. They got paid for doing it. Now we do the same thing, and we are winning medals at a record pace. We didn't have the most gold medals but where we made up for that was in the depth of talent in each sport. We had several medal hopefuls going in everything!

Great coaching + Great athletes + financial backing = Olympic Medals

[murphy1]

I was looking at some pictures of Socchi, it's absolutely beautiful

[diz_girl]

Yes, Sochi does look nice. I think that a lot of visitors in 2014 will be surprised to see palm trees in a city that is hosting the winter olympics.

[Ian]

Just think back to the days of the Soviet Bloc nations winning everything. Well during those times their sport was their job. They got paid for doing it.

Well not only did they get paid for it, but they also cheated egregiously. They applied steroids in vigorous doses to all their athletes and there were even rumors of trying to pass men off as women!