The 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics are now part of sports history. They certainly had their moments, from the tragic death of a luger and the mother of a figure skater to the exciting climax of one great hockey game. On that note, and simply to get what some will call sour grapes out of the way, Canada's 3-2 overtime gold medal win over the United States, while compellingly good hockey, was not the greatest Olympic hockey game ever. That one will always be the US win over the Soviet professional team at Lake Placid in 1980. Sorry, Canada.
Now we wait four years for the next Winter games in Sochi, Russia. Well, not really. The next Olympics are in 2012 in London, England. Nothing wrong with that, yet it seems to take away from the specialness of what used to be Olympics every four years. Now the Games alternate, taking place every two. It subtracts from what at one time was something of a year long sports euphoria.
Perhaps that is a good thing. Maybe, by making it so that an Olympics of some sort takes place in a tighter time frame, it helps keep the games on the mind. But, as with so many presumably good ideas, the reason for the move to biannual Games back in the 90's was probably monetary. Why put two events so close together when we can string them out and try to maintain a more balanced interest? More money may be made that way.
That may have nothing to do with it. Regardless, the Olympics were more special when both Games were in the same year. Today does not feel like the day after the Olympics. Last night did not seem so bittersweet, because the next set of matches on the World scene are not really that far off. We lost a bit of that sense of event when we changed the timing of the Games. It it not a particularly good thing.
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2 comments:
the '80 Gold medal is the BEST hockey game? not even close. Best result for the US of course and an unexpected win, but there have been many, many better played games. That is like Canada saying the last game of the '72 Summit Series was the best game...it was emotional and a defining moment for Canada, but not the best game of hockey. The US win in the World Cup in '96, Canada Cup 87 between Can/USSR were all better games.
The miracle on ice was totally unexpected and was a defining moment for USA Hockey, but it was not a very well played game.
Well, I'm not saying it was the best single game ever, or the best played, but I stand by it was the best Olympic game ever simply on the result. Other than that, whodoyouthinkyouare (anyone out there have a real name?), you make good points about the quality of play. Thanks for commenting!
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