I was just a newbie here in Utah when Salt Lake City hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics. I lived then in Park City where most events happened. I have become a huge fan since then having seen some of these live competitions where I almost froze to death. I have enjoyed the women's moguls and ski racing, the half-pipe snowboarding, figure skating, and even the most absurd ones like the ski jumping, luge, skeleton and bobsled.
Last night, my husband and I, and the kids, welcomed in our living room the Canadians' opening night celebration and the first day of the 17-day 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. It was awesome yet intimate, and I was once again proud of my US and Canadian Teams!
But sadness still glooms the room because of the death of this young luger from Georgia. Knowing few olympians here in Park City, I knew how much you have to go through to be even qualified to race in the olympics, and to be the best of the best to represent your country.
In 2002, when I was at the Utah Olympic Park, where the ski jumping, luge, skeleton and bobsled events was held... I only have one thought of these althletes. They are CRAZY and out of their minds! The ski jumpers jumps up 120 meters high and lands on their skis, must be paper thin and short like 5 feet, and the luge, skeleton and bobled (should be tall like 5'10" and heavy) races more than 90 miles an hour. I can't even imagine driving my car that fast at 90 mph!
I'm sure I'll have more fun stories of this winter Olympics later on. But for now, I mourn with some fans.
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