Olympic Thoughts

I'm going to have to start out by saying that the Olympics are tight. I enjoyed them much more than I thought I would. I think once every four years is the perfect time for them. That way they are unique, but you still kind of remember what happened last time. Also, being in mid/late February was perfect. It fits into the sports doldrums time where nothing is really going on except for regular season pro and college basketball.

A few thoughts:

On the medal counts, I'm as happy to see the US winning as anyone else, but I think it takes a bit more of a look than just saying the US dominated and Canada dominated as far as gold medals go.
A lot of the US's medals were in sports that are new and we pretty much invented. Even short track speedskating is pretty new.
Freestyle skiing (moguls, aerials): USA – 4 medals/ Canada 3 and 2 golds
Short Track: USA – 6 medals/ Canada 5 and two golds
Snowboard: USA 5 medals/ Canada 3 and two golds
Over 1/3 of our medals came in these newer sports, so it is clear that the USA and Canada are taking advantage of sports they pretty much invented, and these 37 medals and 14 golds don't really show the dominance that they do on the surface.

- I really enjoyed hockey. I think a lot of it has to do with all the soccer I watch, but all the games I watched were supremely entertaining. I was actually upset when the US lost and super hype when they tied it up in the last 25 seconds. But, America Jr. came out on top. Man.

- Skiing is an interesting sport. How can you be the best in the world and be dq'd in half your events?

- Short track speedskating is also weird, but in a good way. It seems half the time that skaters aren't really trying until the last three laps, and I won't even get started on the fun chaos that is the relays.

- Apparently fat people can be Olympic athletes.

- I don't know much about sports that are judged – figure skating, diving, gymnastics – but it was clear that Shaun White was by far the best snowboarder out there. Dude is tight.

- Women's hockey and women's snowboarding – boring

- Ski-cross was much less exciting than I expected

- Lots of people talk about Lindsey Vonn and Gretchen Bleiler being hot, but, for me, the Canadian ice dancer Tessa Virtue is #1

- I like to pretend that I would be great at ski-jumping or luge or something because I never tried it

- Despite my enthusiasm for the Olympics, I don't think I'll start following hockey or skiing. I think I'll just wait for 4 years

Olympics - Part II

Well, another downer in my Olympic coverage. Last time it was no cable TV. This time it is the fact that I am on the west coast. So I believe Eastern and Central time get primetime Olympic coverage live (morning in China). But it is delayed 3 hours on the West Coast, so it says live, but is actually not. So anytime I go online or see ESPN at a restaurant, I already see the results. So, that awesome men's 100m relay, I already knew the result.
Good news, I won my bet. Romanian's women's team handball team won $1 for me.
In the next round of bets - Men's Water Polo. I had US over Italy, which won me a Choco Taco and Montenegro over Canada, who is currently leading 12-0, so it looks like another $1 for me. Yes!

The other cool story I saw was Togo winning their first ever Olympic medal, a bronze in whitewater kayaking. Pretty cool. The guy was born in France, and something makes me think that this isn't going to bring a slew of kids in Togo to the sport. I could just see the movie of the week, a young boy rises from the slums of Lome (Togo's capital) to the elite world of kayaking, while an entire nation cheers him on. Ok, maybe not. But, still very cool for Togo.

Olympics - Part I

Well, the Olympics have begun. Most of what I saw of the Opening Ceremonies was at a bar with the sound off, but it looked cool. I enjoy all the outfits and love the countries with only one or two athletes. It was cool to see everyone so excited and the little boy with Yao Ming was nice.

Now on to the sports.
Let's see, yesterday morning saw some women's team handball. France vs. Angola. Big Rivalry.
Also saw women's Volleyball US/Japan and mens v-ball US/Venezuela. Yes, all classic match-ups.
Today was Redeem Team against China. It was entertaining. Lots of dunks. Really, I think the work has already been done. Just practicing and taking it seriously should be enough. All the players wanna play and win the gold. I don't see that not happening.
Also saw beach volleyball in the pouring rain, cycling in the rain and some swimming. Good day.

Unfortunately, I am on the bus right now and can only watch what is on NBC. Boo-urns. The plethora of Olympic coverage on MSNBC, Bravo, and all the rest is not available for me. Dang. So sorry, you won't get updates on random sports.
I did make my first random Olympic bet, though. I have a bet on Women's Team Handball China vs Romania. I took Romania and am not to confident with my pick.
C'mon Romania!

Updates

A few quick updates.

#1) I'll be back on the bus starting tomorrow. Yes! Provides for more work, more fun, more blog potential.



#2.) Olympics- yes I guess the opening ceremonies have already happened. And sports, or at least soccer started a few days ago. I've seen a lot of bloggers out there hating on the Olympics, but I for one love them. Once every four years I will watch swimming and track and field. And if you stay up late at night, you'll catch the occasional field hockey, water polo, or team handball match. Oh, and don't forget about Lebron, Kobe, D-Wade, Dwight Howard and the rest.
3.) Brett Favre - So I believe the saga is completed. Brett Favre is a member of the NY Jets. Weird.
But I am ok with it. It'll be much like Montana on the Chiefs might do ok and even make the playoffs, but as Montana is always a 49er, Favre is always a Packer. I wish he would of stayed retired, but this might be the best solution after the way things have gone down the past month.


See ya'll on the road!