Vancouver Winter Olympics - News and Views

[Jeff Wrangler]

You know, it always just boggles me, but I suppose it shouldn't  After having dedicated their lives and pushing themselves through incredible workout routines, grueling schedules and long hours to a sport, why I am surprised that many become doctors?  Getting an MD requires the same sort of monomania and dedication.

Just heard a night or so ago that the famed speed skater Eric Heiden became a doctor.  Silver medalist ice skater Debbie Thomas also became a doctor.

That's interesting. Just the other day, as the Games were beginning and the media were focussing on Apolo Ono, I was wondering whatever became of Eric Heiden.

Incidentally, I know of at least one former ballet dancer who did the same thing, went to medical school. Ballet requires the same sort of dedication. And in both cases they'd have a ready insight into orthopaedics or sports medicine.

[CellarDweller]

Yup, Johnny Weir is really, really fey. 

If I remember correctly, Johnny Weir wouldn't comment on his sexual orientation.  And then he skates in an outfit that looks like a black corset with hot pink laces.

really?   LOL

[Sheriff Roland]

medal standing, after 28 events; early day 7
          
                          gold  silver  bronze  total
1  United States       5      3       6         14
2  Germany             3      4       3         10
3  France                2      1       4         7
4  Canada               2      3       1         6
5  South Korea        3      2       0         5
5  Norway               1      2       2         5
5  Austria                1      2       2         5
8  Switzerland         3      0       1         4
8  China                  2      1       1         4
8  Italy                    0      1       3         4
11 Russia                1      1       1         3
12 Sweden              2      0       0         2
12 Slovakia              1      1       0         2
12 Czech Republic    1      0       1         2
12 Poland                0      2       0         2
12 Japan                  0      1      1         2
17 Netherlands         1      0      0         1
17 Estonia                0      1      0         1
17 Finland                0      1      0         1
17 Australia              0      1      0         1
17 Latvia                  0      1      0         1
17 Slovania              0      0      0         1
17 Croatia                0      0      1         1

[delalluvia]

While I'm happy for Evan Lysacek for winning the gold in men's ice skating and he is an American, I have a soft spot in my heart for Evgeni Plushenko.

I really wanted to him win the gold and make history because...because he's just a god.  A rock and roll star.  With charisma and personality to spare.  He's just an supernal skater.  No one skates like he does.  No, he's not as artistic as Weir or as lyrical as Lysacek, but he's so incredibly, naturally a prodigy.  He's one of those people you glad you lived to see skate he's such a unicorn in a herd of horses.

[Brokeback_Dev]

I am loving the winter Olympics.  The X game sports of the women's snowboarding the half pipe was on last night They were catching some air for sure.  There were some serious wipeouts.  Those are some tough women. The US got both silver and bronze medals.  GO USA!!! 

[Sheriff Roland]

medal standing, after 34 events; early day 8
          
                          gold  silver  bronze  total
1  United States       6      5       7         18
2  Germany             4      4       3         11
3  Norway               3      3       2          8
4  Canada               3      3       1          7
4  France                2      1       4          7
6  South Korea        3      2       0          5
6  Austria                1      2       2          5
8  Switzerland         3      0       1          4
8  China                  2      1       1          4
8  Russia                 1      2       1          4
8  Italy                    0      1       3          4
12 Sweden              2      0       1          3
12 Netherlands         1      1      1          3
12 Japan                  0      1      2          3
15 Australia              1      1      0          2
15 Slovakia               1      1      0          2
15 Czech Republic     1      0      1          2
15 Poland                 0      2      0          2
15 Belarus                0      1      1          2
20 Estonia                0      1      0          1
20 Finland                0      1      0          1
20 Latvia                  0      1      0          1
20 Kazakhstan          0      1      0          1
20 Croatia                0      0      1          1
20 Slovenia              0      0      1          1

[Meryl]

I was thrilled to see Evan Lysacek win the gold last night.  He seems like such a genuine person, and he skated beautifully, with real strength and elegance.  Plushenko was great, too, but it was encouraging to see the judges taking a really hard look at all the details that go into a performance and letting the points tell the story in the end.  In prior years, it seemed there was a palpable preference for the Russian skaters that took a toll on fairness.  Last night that was not in evidence.

[southendmd]

I agree, Meryl.  Figure skating should be a combination of athleticism and art.  Lysacek certainly had both.  That Plushenko bitches about the scoring and his quad is just silly.  Sure, he can jump, but he doesn't skate, he struts.  And it's not artistic, and the new scoring combines both.  Lysacek's performance was thrilling and Plushenko's was annoying. 

[Jeff Wrangler]

If I remember correctly, Johnny Weir wouldn't comment on his sexual orientation.  And then he skates in an outfit that looks like a black corset with hot pink laces.

I seem to remember seeing a pic of you in something in hot pink, Little Darlin'. 

[CellarDweller]

I seem to remember seeing a pic of you in something in hot pink, Little Darlin'. 

a pink button down and a corset with pink laces are two different things, Darlin'.