Tag Archives: Vancouver Games

The Olympic Winter Games End

Posted on February 28, 2010 | Leave a comment
The Winter Olympic Games have ended in Vancouver. The next time these games close  it will be in Sochi, Russia. Russia will be building from an Olympics where they did not make the semi-finals in Men’s Hockey and where they broke the streak of medals in Pairs figure skating. They won some medals but it was not a happy or lucky Olympics for them. I do feel for them — Russia has been in transition for thirty years and the Olympics can help chrystalize progress — but their performance at the closing ceremonies was compelling.
 It is obvious to me that the Olympic Games were a great success. I believe that (short of some unforeseen calamity) the next games in Russia will also be a great success. I always  look forward to the Olympics of both types. I think that this will be a very memorable Olympics for Canada because they have ended their drought of gold medals on their own soil which marred their joy in hosting the games in Calgary and Alberta. For the United States of America it has been a chance to break the record for the most medals ever won by any nation in the Winter Olympic Games. 
Julia Mancuso Skis for two siver medals to add to her gold medal in Turino.

Each story was different. Norway and Sweden battling in Cross Country. Relevant to that struggle somehow was the struggle of the US players like Hannah Teter, Shaun White, Seth Westcott, Kelly Clark and others to defend snowboarding dominance against emerging teams like China, Australia and Japan. The struggle took some casualties — especially Lindsay Jacobellis. Curling was entertaining but not glorious for US fans.    

 

Shaun White skied to gold to repeat his success at Turino.

The Opening ceremonies were less than those of Beijing.  Nonetheless, they were  fully engrossing . Yes they had flaws of mechanical and other kinds. They were wonderful however. I was really moved by the French and English which was moderately well done in the land of British Columbia. I was very impressed with the beauty of the blending of the Amerind Aborginal cutlures with those of Euro-Canadian culture which was was very beautifully done. We face a future in which these ceremonies are valuable reflections on what is possible for humanity and civilization.

 

I look forward also to see what the Brits will do with the next Summer games in London. I honor the Night Train bobsled team led by Steve Holcombe, the Nordic Combined athletes and others who carved out new realms of excellence. I honor the work of Shaun White and others who have held off ever more expert competitors in the X-Games and Gravity Games traditions which the US (including me) sometimes like to feel we own. Julia Mancuso skied for two silvers to add to her Gold from Turino’s 2006 games.  

We Americans had a lot to be happy about in Alpine Skiing in this country. Julia and Lindsay were a great story.  However, we also have seen Bode Miller go from an Olympic bust to an Olympic power player. We have seen our national team become something to be taken seriously in those events. This eases the sting of watching our hockey teams come up silver to Canada’s gold.  It was after all a worldwide games. I was happy for the Chinese  success in pairs figure skating, the success of Kim Yu Na from South Korea could not be more deserved even if it helped  break a long streak in the USA’s medals. While our girls did not join their predecessors such as Kerrigan, Lipinski, Yamaguchi, Cohen and others they acquitted themselves well anyway — really. Mao Asada won for Japan another medal and the emotional triumph of Joannie Rochette was also splendid. I felt for what we did not get but rejoiced in what was. The Brits who host the next Olympics had a gold medal in sliding from Amy Williams and they really need to remind the world they are contenders fit to host an Olympics –so I salute her. Did the Olympics rate much attention compared to the six nations Rugby tourney?

Every Olympic games ends with questions for those paying attention. But I must tear myself away and know it is over.  I just wish to say farewell to the games and leave it behind.  However, I do bring the Olympics with me through the years.

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A Few Thoughts on the Winter Olympics

Posted on February 24, 2010 | Leave a comment
The  Winter Olympics as they are televised on the NBC networks do entertain and compel me. I could talk to you if you were sitting beside me about Lindsey Vonn, Bode Miller, Julie Mancuso, Apollo Anton Ohno, Charlie Wise and Meryl Davis as well as Shanon Barkhe and Shani Davis. The stories of athletes from other nations also compel me. While I have skied, sledded and skated a very little — I do not relate to these events as even a competent winter athlete would. Also for me, as for many others, I relate with eagerness to the excellences that are not typical of my own life. The joy of representing a nation on a great stage is not something most us will ever know. Nor will we know the full discipline and dedication of many of these athletes. Further I remeber the youth they live as an increasingly distant memory. 

A US speed skater glides along the ice.

 The Olympics is not the only thing on my mind.  I had supper with last night and spoke today with Seth J. DeMoor who is trying to do some cool blogs and cycle across the country from Orlando, Florida to Buena Vista, Colorado.  He has a blog and his all out effort and adventure has many values in common with the Olympics.  His website is right here for your perusal  http://onebillionstories.com/  The New Testament is actually full of references to the events and traditions of the Olympic Games. So Seth’s faith tie is not unrelated either. However in these weeks I am spending quite a bit of time watching the Winter Olympics. It is not all that I do but it is important. I really get into the Olympics.  I like the Summer and the Winter Games.

USA team racing in the two man bobsled on a fast track.

 So I hope all of you are getting something out of it as well.  Let us press on and be a bit inspired to find an adventure and a winning route.  Let’s view the Olympics and try to live them out a little bit as well. I  may have more to say later after the closing ceremonies. But I do not want to pass up the chance to say something now. 

US figure skater Rachel Flatt fights to keep up a tradition in a tough field.

 Whether it Apollo Ohno becoming America’s most decorated winter Olympian or Rachel Flatt struggling against superb athletes in a field where the USA has long dominated– it is full of  drama and stories.  It recharges some of my creative batteries just to watch it. 

US Hockey team has been dominant.

 This is also a big anniversary for those who remember the famed Miracle on Ice hockey semifinal against the Soviet Union . Some of that emotional magic shone upon our professional hockey team when they beat Canada in a recent match. The Olympics pour out connections of moments in our lives, connections between countries and connections  between courage and opportunity. I do like the Olympics.  I am watching them intently.

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