As far as I'm concerned they are all amazing but I am slightly prejudiced in favour of my lovely big Canadian team. You go kids! You have worked so hard to get to this place.
I'm especially blown away by the luge event - a glorified tea tray with a skilled rider on top barreling down a narrow icy corridor head first. That takes intestinal fortitude. But then, so does the half pipe.
I love that the Jamaican bobsled team made it to Russia against all odds, but if you want to do winter sports in Jamaica, you are bucking the odds aren't you. I wish them all the best - and I hope their sled runners make it in time for the competition.
There are lots of little stories attached to a big world wide event like this - the Jamaicans are only one of them.
I think one of the big stories though, is the threat of disruption by extremists and I wish the politicians would remember why we hold world wide sports games in the first place. Yes they are competitive, but it is positive competition, and should be appreciated as incredible hard work, sacrifice and amazing athleticism no matter what country.
We hold games like this to come together from all over the world, to compete, to appreciate the skills of every competition, and to get to know each other - in peace. Peace - that's a big word these days.
It seems a shame to me that the athletes have to worry about their loved ones getting in the way of a bomb when all they should be worrying about is the event they are competing in.
It seems a shame to me that people have to worry about even attending events because of these threats. And an even bigger shame, it seems to me, is the prejudice against athletes and citizens because of their sexual orientation. What should matter is that these young people are absolutely amazing at what they do and we need to cheer them on to the finish line, not condemn them for who they love.
Leave the politics out of the games I say. But I didn't say it first. The president of the Olympic committee in his speech to open the games said much the same thing - in three languages. It was a mild rebuke to the politicians who seem to have forgotten why these games come around every four years. I hope they are listening.
Actually these Olympic games have come at just the right time for me. I didn't realize just how long a broken back takes to fix itself. Rest seems to be one of the most important aspects of the healing. Having now learned to knit and crochet in a semi- reclining postition - I have a second sock on the go, a shawl to complete, and a bag to knit and felt. So I can amuse myself quite nicely while watching the various events.
Go Canada!
