The 2010 Olympic Winter Games

[Farin]

...in Vancouver start later today

just so that we have a place to discuss it

[MindCrime]

I predict the U.S. to do less than mediocre at these events and to be boo'd by our rivals: the Canadians.

[BlueAngel]

Not a great way to begin.

"Fatal Luge Crash"

I saw the footage of the crash which the International Olympic Committee has temporarily pulled though there might be something on Youtube by now. Absolutely horrible.

[Farin]

oh no, that's horrible!

[MindCrime]

That is absolutely horrible. R.I.P. to this athlete and may God look after his family.

[Lucky]

Tragic. I saw the footage on Youtube. Poor guy, just starting what possibly would have been the most exciting time of his life. It's just terribly sad.

[CanAm]

This is certainly not an auspicious start to these Winter Olympics. I saw the footage earlier today, and it was, without doubt, one of the most horrific things I've ever seen. I'm glad that the Georgian team has decided to stay on. I'm sure the athlete himself would have wanted his colleagues to continue. God bless him and his family.

[MuzikTyme]

That's so terrible words can't describe it.

Best thoughts and condolences to his family, friends and team mates.

[Kevin]

I predict the U.S. to do less than mediocre at these events and to be boo'd by our rivals: the Canadians.

"Warm reception for the United States delegation -- The U.S. athletes received one of the warmest welcomes while entering BC Place. Only Georgia (home country of Nodar Kumaritashvili) and Canada were greeted with bigger cheers."

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/vancouver/blog/fourth_place_medal/post/The-10-best-moments-from-Vancouver-s-Opening-Cer?urn=oly,219441

[MarcM]

Its a trick!

[Kevin]

As long as your hockey and curling teams are psyched out enough to believe so , then it worked . You can split the rest of the medals amongst yourselves - we're not greedy ... nor worthy .

(Actually , I'd be surprised if at least 25+% of the audience wasn't American to start with .)

[Kevin]

I will say , however , that your athletes looked sporty and cool and ready to compete , while ours looked dressed by our mothers about to be sent out for a snowball fight . Sending in Bryan Adams was not a plus in that respect .

[Batman]

for the winter games I like to root for USA (duh, I live there), Ireland (heritage), and anyone from a country without snow, because I think that's awesome when stuff like that happens.

[MindCrime]

anyone from a country without snow, because I think that's awesome when stuff like that happens.

Including Iran?

[Steel2Velvet]

I didn't catch the opening. Did Wayne Gretzky light the on-site Olympic flame?

[Kevin]

^ Yes , he and 3 others lit it together at the indoor venue ( there was a bit of a glitch , though ) . Later he went downtown to light the outdoor cauldron alone .

Iran has snow . They have great skiing places , actually .

[Farin]

wow, biathlon competition is crazy with the weather they have up there...

[Otokichi]

Canada struck Gold!

[Farin]

^

and almost again yesterday, if the snowboard course were only 100m shorter

[BlueAngel]

^ Well at least the Canadian woman snowboarder did better, nice run.

And it looks like the US has overtaken Germany in medals...that downhill course was pretty brutal though.

[Farin]

w00t for Canadians

and yeah they did... for now...

but Vonn would have won (heh, that rhymed ) the downhill course with perfect snow conditions and without any falls too.

that Shaun White guy did an impressive run in the halfpipe though

Edited February 18, 2010 by Guest

[Lucky]

Impressive isn't the word, he rocked that halfpipe! Woohoo for Shaun! That redheaded doll is one amazing guy .... we seriously root for him, he lives about 10 miles up the road.

[Farin]

"flying tomato"

[CanAm]

I've enjoyed watching the great competition. Ironically, most of the Canadian medal winners have been somewhat surprising. Bilodeau was the only one of our medal winners who was considered a sure-fire podium finisher. I'm just glad that he kicked Begg-Smith's butt. I can't stand the guy (and it has nothing to do with his decision to move to Australia). I've heard the guy in interviews and he is just soooo arrogant.

I'm glad to see that Shani Davis was able to repeat as the gold medal winner in the 1000 metre long-track speed skating race. He trains in Calgary and is a great ambassador for the USA and for speed skating.

Like Batman, I prioritize my support. I cheer for Canada first (country of residence) and the United States (great neighbour) and Britain (birthright and ancestry) second.

And what is up with the British media? They have absolutely trashed everything to do with these Olympic games. Do they like anything? They seem to delight in trashing things (like the Royal Family) and seldom have a good word to say about anything. GET A LIFE PEOPLE!!

[Farin]

Tora Berger just won the 100th Winter Olympic Gold Medal for Norway (coincidentally they have 100 silver medals as well )