Here come the Olympics!
As usual, there are amazingly gifted athletes converging for the Olympics Games. As usual, there will be overhyped stars (e.g., Bode Miller) who will grab headlines until others emerge as the surprise stars, the fun of watching athletes from so many countries, the thrill of victory, and the agony of the feet. Or something like that.
There will also be plenty of newspaper and magazine articles about what's going on, and sportscasters babbling on endlessly, some well-informed, some for whom the mute button will improve things.
And those annoying reports on the medal count. I'm fully prepared to complain, as I do every 2 years, when network TV shows medal ceremonies only when the U.S.A. wins gold. They still haven't figured out that I know MY country's anthem and would appreciate hearing some others once in a while.
Despite all the negatives, I can't help being thrilled at seeing the best in the world putting on this show. I'm staking out a good spot on the sofa, where I'll sit for 17 days straight without looking away from the tube.
Alpine skiing is usually my favorite, and all the regulars will be there: figure skating, ice hockey, speed skating, cross country, snowboarding, luge, etc. Too bad speed skiing didn't become an Olympic event.
Facts:
Olympic city: Turin, Italy
Opening ceremonies: Friday, February 10
Closing ceremonies: Sunday, February 26
Slogan: "Passion Lives Here"
Mascot #1: Neve, a snowball-headed cartoon character who seems to be related to the Cingular Wireless logo
Mascot #2: Gliz, whose head is an ice cube and who would probably get along with iGuy
A small event schedule is attached. Shading means an event being held, and "F" means the finals. I have yet to figure out how to match up the TV coverage schedule with the actual event times.
The full event schedule (lots of zooming required to read it) is here.
As usual, there are amazingly gifted athletes converging for the Olympics Games. As usual, there will be overhyped stars (e.g., Bode Miller) who will grab headlines until others emerge as the surprise stars, the fun of watching athletes from so many countries, the thrill of victory, and the agony of the feet. Or something like that.
There will also be plenty of newspaper and magazine articles about what's going on, and sportscasters babbling on endlessly, some well-informed, some for whom the mute button will improve things.
And those annoying reports on the medal count. I'm fully prepared to complain, as I do every 2 years, when network TV shows medal ceremonies only when the U.S.A. wins gold. They still haven't figured out that I know MY country's anthem and would appreciate hearing some others once in a while.
Despite all the negatives, I can't help being thrilled at seeing the best in the world putting on this show. I'm staking out a good spot on the sofa, where I'll sit for 17 days straight without looking away from the tube.
Alpine skiing is usually my favorite, and all the regulars will be there: figure skating, ice hockey, speed skating, cross country, snowboarding, luge, etc. Too bad speed skiing didn't become an Olympic event.
Facts:
Olympic city: Turin, Italy
Opening ceremonies: Friday, February 10
Closing ceremonies: Sunday, February 26
Slogan: "Passion Lives Here"
Mascot #1: Neve, a snowball-headed cartoon character who seems to be related to the Cingular Wireless logo
Mascot #2: Gliz, whose head is an ice cube and who would probably get along with iGuy
A small event schedule is attached. Shading means an event being held, and "F" means the finals. I have yet to figure out how to match up the TV coverage schedule with the actual event times.
The full event schedule (lots of zooming required to read it) is here.
