Olympics in Review

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.

Curling

People seem almost shocked at the amount of attention which has been heaped upon curling at the 2010 Winter Olympics from Vancouver. But why should they?

It's a great sport. It's challenging, but not so much that it's too difficult to play. The game is fairly easy to understand (who really understands stunts and pulling guards?). It has a great blend of the individual and the team: everyone throws two rocks, while the others do their best to help insure that each shot works out well for the squad. It has strategy which does not depend on at least potentially hurting people. But the best thing about it by far is the simple sportsmanship of the game.

No trash talking.

No 'not in our house' arrogant garbage. Curlers welcome everyone to the game, and congratulate good shots by the other team without hesitation. During the game.

No whining about the officials. Curlers essentially police themselves.

It's a great game because it is a true sport. We should not be shocked at the interest it generates.