February 21, 2002

[TV] Final thoughts on the Olympics.

So the Olympics are over. I am not sure how I feel about that. I mean, I was irritated by a lot of the coverage, yes, and found many events to be better for the sleeping than a valium and a shot of Jack. However, there were some shining moments and, truth be told, I had even gotten used to old Bob Costas by the end. I think maybe he was just trying too hard during the opening ceremonies.

Just a couple of end-of-the-Olympic notes before we leave them for good:

First, I am as patriotic as the next guy but I was actually happy to see a couple of Americans not win (which is not to say that I am necessarily glad that they lost. it's a fine distinction, I will grant you that. ) First, I was glad that the Canadians won the Hockey gold medal. I dig Canada, one, and I like Mario Lemieux, two, and I think that they totally deserved it, three. I was really happy for them. I was also happy for that Canadian Guy that won the 2 short-track speedskating medals. I like Apolo Anton Ohno as much as the next giddy 15-year-old--even though I'm 35--but the Canadian Guy--Marc Gagnon is his name--was the Dan Janssen of the SLC games, having fallen in the Short-Track 500 at both Nagano and Lillehammer. That he was all nerves-of-steel-y enough to stay on his feet was cool in and of itself but that he actually won, was way cooler.

Second, I dug on the Exibition Skate on Friday night much more than I thought I would. I was missing Elvis (and missing Phillippe Candeloro, which is a whole nother story) and really not looking too much forward. But watching the Russians and the Canadians skate together was just so darned heart-warming that even this heart was warmed. That deathspiral-a-quatre was amazing and the way that the crowd reacted to poor, persecuted Anton and Yelena was just wonderful. I was hoping for a David-Yelena throw triple Sal, but you can't get everything.

Finally, I thought that the closing ceremonies rocked. I liked the skater-famous musician pairings a lot and, really, anytime I get to see Scott Hamilton skate is a good day. I was moved by Dorothy Hamill, but disappointed that we didn't get to see a Hamill Camel. I was hoping to see Peggy Fleming, though, or maybe Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner. But, nevertheless, it was great. The 10-year-old fangirl alive and well inside me also really dug that it was Donny and Marie in the T Rexes. What can I say? :)

Posted by Lori at February 21, 2002 3:20 PM